Latest news with #DomesticWorkers
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Can expats hire more than one housemaid? Legal requirements clarified
Question: I am an expat resident and recently brought my parents here in Dubai on a residence visa because there is no one to look after them in our home country. I already have a housemaid under my sponsorship. Am I allowed to hire 2 more maids and what are the requirements? Answer: The provisions of Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers and its subsequent ministerial resolutions are silent related to the number of domestic workers that an individual may sponsor in the UAE. A recognised maid recruitment agency in the UAE may not recruit a domestic worker in the UAE without obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE). This is in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers which states, "Domestic workers may not be hired or temporarily employed without a licence from the Ministry, in accordance with the provisions of the Implementing Regulation of this Decree Law and the decisions of the Ministry relating thereto.' It is mandatory for an employer or a recruitment agency of a domestic worker to have an employment contract signed with a domestic worker and registered with the MoHRE. This is in accordance with Article 6 and Article 7 of the UAE Domestic Workers Law. An employer/sponsor of a domestic worker needs to follow the guidelines and provisions of UAE Domestic Workers Law while employing a domestic worker at his or her residence. It may include but is not limited to providing the domestic worker with the facilities to perform her duties, allot appropriate accommodation, provision of food and means, clothing if required to perform the duties, timely payment of remuneration, incur costs related to health insurance, be respectful to the domestic worker and the domestic worker should be allowed to retain her official documents. This is in accordance with Article 11 of the UAE Domestic Workers Law which states about the obligations of the employer/sponsor towards a domestic worker. Moreover, Article 7 of the Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022 Pertaining to the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers states that an employer/sponsor may not employ a domestic worker for more than 12 hours a day and without a break after continuous work for eight hours a day. Article 8 of the Cabinet Resolution 106 of 2022 on Domestic Workers Law states that an employer/sponsor needs to grant a weekly holiday to a domestic worker. Based on the aforementioned provisions, you may consider sponsoring a domestic worker if you fulfil the relevant requirements as required by MoHRE and other authorities. Therefore, you may contact the MoHRE for further clarification on this matter. However, you may also consider hiring a domestic help/maid in the UAE through the recognised domestic recruitment agencies in the UAE as mentioned in Article 4 and Article 5 of the UAE Domestic Workers Law. UAE's Domestic Workers Law is silent regarding the number of domestic workers that an individual may engage/sponsor. However, in practice, approvals for hiring additional domestic workers may depend on your personal circumstances, including financial capacity and the specific needs of your household. Furthermore, you may have an option of hiring through a recognised domestic recruitment agency. For further clarification on this matter, you may contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
Argaam
19-05-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Saudi insurance spending per capita up 16% to SAR 2,367 in 2024
Per capita spending on insurance in Saudi Arabia grew 16% to SAR 2,367 by the end of 2024, compared to SAR 2,035 a year earlier, data from the Insurance Authority (IA) showed. The per capita insurance spending is defined as the gross written premiums (GWPs) during the year divided by population. Per capita spending on insurance in Saudi Arabia grew at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 21.2% over the last five years. Health insurance accounted for 55% of total per capita spending in the sector last year, followed by general insurance with 34%, as well as protection and savings insurance with 10%. The IA report explained that the insurance penetration, which is represented by the ratio of total insurance premiums to the gross domestic product (GDP), increased to 1.87% in 2024, compared to 1.64% in 2023. Similarly, the insurance sector's contribution to the non-oil GDP also expanded to 2.59% in 2024 compared to 2.38% in 2023, and it is targeted to increase to 4.3% by 2030. Last year witnessed the issuance of several regulations, guidelines, and standardized policies aimed at keeping pace with developments in the sector and the broader economy. Notable among these were: The issuance of the Unified Health Insurance Policy for Domestic Workers, which sets the minimum mandatory health coverage for this category. The Unified Professional Liability Insurance Policy for entities inspecting compliance with the Saudi Building Code. The Unified Civil Liability Insurance Policy for crowded venues and high-risk activities. Per Capita Spending on Insurance Since 2010 (SAR) Year General Health Protection & Savings Total 2010 244 315 35 594 2011 278 342 32 652 2012 308 386 30 724 2013 383 430 28 841 2014 450 511 29 990 2015 523 602 33 1158 2016 541 587 33 1161 2017 502 585 35 1121 2018 419 595 33 1048 2019 417 657 33 1107 2020 414 645 36 1095 2021 435 717 49 1200 2022 576 933 55 1564 2023 754 1200 80 2035 2024 814 1313 239 2367 GWPs saw a 16% year-on-year (YoY) increase to SAR 76.1 billion in 2024. Health insurance GWPs stood at SAR 42.2 billion in 2024, up 9% from SAR 38.6 billion in 2023. Similarly, general insurance GWPs grew by 8% YoY to SAR 26.2 billion in 2024. Protection and savings insurance premiums saw a 200% hike YoY, accounting for 10.1% of GWPs up from 3.9% in 2023. GWPs by Insurance Segment in 2024 (SAR bln) Type 2023 2024 Change value Change (%) Healthcare 38.6 42.2 + 3.6 +9% General 24.3 26.2 + 1.9 +8% Protection & Savings 2.6 7.7 + 5.1 +200% Total 65.5 76.1 +10.7 +16% In the general insurance segment, auto insurance premiums accounted for 53%, or SAR 13.9 billion, of total. General accidents & liability insurance came second with 13%.
