His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued federal law on domestic helpers.
“The law regulates the contractual relationship and provides legal protection to safeguard the rights of all parties,” said Saqr Ghobash, minister of human resources and Emiratisation. “The law reflects the UAE’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and harmonize national legislation with relevant international standards.”
Saqr Ghobash explained that the ministry is close to finalizing the executive regulations of the law and the models of labour contracts for its implementation.
The draft law – consisting of 41 articles – includes a provision which prohibits the recruitment or employment of any worker under the age of 18. It also puts a ban on non-citizens to act as an intermediary for the recruitment of such workers.
The legislation regulates all issues and procedures related to domestic workers, including their conditions of recruitment, rights and duties and the rules imposed on the recruitment offices.
It also bans any kind of sexual harassment of workers, forced labour or human trafficking. Workers will have right to keep their official documents, such as passports.
The recruitment agencies will be given six months from the date of implementation of this law to settle their conditions in accordance with the provisions of this law.
The law makes agencies liable to provide temporary housing for the workers and must make them aware of the customs and traditions of the UAE on their arrival.
The law stipulates labour contracts should include the total salary, method of payment, permits allowed for the worker, duration of probation, conditions that might result in the termination of the contract and any other conditions required by the nature of the work. Both the parties – the employer and the employee – should agree to the terms and conditions.
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