UAE shuts down 250 offices for hiring domestic workers

Abu Dhabi - Tadbeer centres, under PPP model, are empowered to recruit this category of blue-collar workers

The UAE’s Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) authorities have shut down 250 offices across the country for recruiting domestic workers amid a stringent bid to streamline the hiring of this category of blue-collar employees in the country.

Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, the Minister of MoHRE, on Tuesday told members of the Federal National Council (FNC) that the ministry closed these recruitment offices in different emirates after their licences had expired. “The move is part of the plan to replace these recruiting offices for domestic workers with ‘Tadbeer’ centres,” said Al Hamli.

Watch: Tadbeer centres to ensure rights of domestic workers in UAE

The minister was responding to a question from Hamad Ahmed Al Rahoumi, an FNC member from Dubai, on what the ministry has done since the UAE Cabinet transferred the responsibility for domestic workers to MoHRE.

“The Ministry has developed a gradual strategic plan to develop a system for the recruitment of domestic workers based mainly on establishing management service centres as a strategic alternative to recruitment offices. All recruitment offices for domestic workers have been informed about the decision to close their offices upon the expiration of their operating licence period,” said Al Hamli.

"So far, 250 offices for recruiting domestic helpers have been closed in the country. About 10 offices are still operating and will be closed shortly. These offices have been replaced with 54 Tadbeer centres," he added.

He said that the ministry has also taken administrative and legal measures against owners of 99 auxiliary-labour recruitment offices for violating the closure order.

The first set of Tadbeer centres was opened in the UAE in 2017. The centres aim to offer all services required to employers, who are interested in hiring domestic workers.

Tadbeer centres have set a new standard for the provision of services to domestic workers, protect their rights, enable access to better information and training, and ensure that working conditions and accommodation are complied with.

Operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, these centres help guarantee the provision of visa, orientation and training services.

The centres also provide relevant help depending on the requirements of the employer in addition to services such as visa issuance, Emirates identity (ID) card, medical documents and dropping the domestic help to h/her employer.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com