Legal Requirements for Employing Domestic Workers and Maids in Dubai

The issue of hiring a domestic worker or a full-time maid in Dubai is a good option for families who need help with household tasks, childcare, or elderly care. But there are clear legal requirements because it is a legal process that must be controlled to protect the interests of both the employer and the worker. Knowing and following these laws is necessary to avoid problems that could lead to legal action and to create an open and professional working relationship.

Who Can Sponsor a Domestic Worker?

Any resident in Dubai with a valid UAE residency visa can sponsor a domestic worker. In most cases, only those who meet a certain minimum monthly income, usually about AED 25,000, can sponsor. The employer must also provide suitable accommodation that offers a safe and private place for the worker to live. It is important to know that bachelors are usually not allowed to sponsor female domestic workers.

Categories of Domestic Workers

According to UAE law, domestic workers are not limited to full-time maids. Nannies, cooks, drivers, gardeners, and housekeepers are also considered domestic workers. The rights and responsibilities of all domestic workers are defined in Federal Law No. (10) of 2017 on Domestic Workers, which is a clear guide for both workers and employers.

Recruitment and Contracts

Employers can hire a domestic worker through an approved agency or by direct sponsorship. No matter which way you choose, you must sign a standard contract issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This contract should state the worker’s duties, working hours, weekly rest day, salary, accommodation, and medical care rights.

Contracts typically require:

• A 30-day paid annual leave
• A weekly rest day
• Medical insurance coverage
• Payment of wages within ten days of the due date

The signed employment contract must be in Arabic and English (or the worker’s native language) and must be submitted to MOHRE. There is a one-time recruitment fee that employers must pay to the agency. This fee varies between AED 8,000 and AED 15,000 depending on the nationality of the worker and the agency’s terms.

Sponsorship and Residency Visa

After choosing a candidate and signing the job contract, you must apply for a permit to hire the worker, called a residency visa. A one-year or two-year visa is usually issued and must be renewed before it expires.

Required documents include:

• Employer’s passport and residency visa copy
• The worker’s passport copy
• Emirates ID
• Standard employment contract
• Medical fitness test results for the worker
• Proof of accommodation (Ejari tenancy contract)

A medical fitness test and biometric data are mandatory before issuing the Emirates ID and residence visa.

Wages and Payment

According to UAE law, the salary must be paid regularly through the Wage Protection System (WPS) or by direct bank transfer. Employers need to keep records of payments to avoid disputes. The wage depends on the worker’s nationality, skills, and experience, but cannot be less than the minimum salary stated in the employment agreement.

Working Hours and Leave

Domestic workers in Dubai are entitled to:

• A maximum of 12 working hours per day, with rest breaks
• One day of paid rest per week
• 30 days of paid annual leave after completing one year of service
• Sick leave up to 30 days per year, partially paid as per the law

End of Service Benefits

When employment ends, the worker is entitled to an end-of-service payment. It is calculated as 14 days of pay per year of employment. The employer must also provide a ticket to the worker’s home country.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Not following these rules may lead to fines, loss of sponsorship rights, and possible legal action. For example, not paying salaries or keeping the worker’s passport is strictly forbidden and can lead to heavy punishment.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a domestic worker or a full-time maid in Dubai is another undertaking which members need to learn and abide by the law. You also need to legally protect yourself by going through the right steps, which include proper contract preparations as well as scheduling timely salary payments, which will, in turn, build a harmonious working relationship between you and your worker. Keep yourself abreast of the most recent regulations that MOHRE has to offer, or refer to an authorized recruitment agency to be updated. The responsible employment leads to positive benefits which touch all ends of the spectrum and makes Dubai adhere to its principle of fair labour and human dignity.