Latest news with #domesticworkers
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
UAE fines 40 domestic worker recruitment offices for breaching rules
The UAE government fined 40 domestic worker recruitment offices for breaching employment rules in the first half of the year in support of a national drive to strengthen regulation of the industry. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on Monday said the companies had committed about 140 offences under domestic labour law, including failing to deliver refunds due to employers. The authority pledged to take a zero-tolerance approach to rogue recruiters, warning that repeat offenders would face severe penalties, including losing their operating licences. The ministry said it would continue to monitor the practices of recruitment offices closely to ensure they abide by employment laws and to protect the rights of those hiring domestic workers, which include nannies maids, cooks and gardeners. It said the majority of recorded offences were due to a failure to refund all or part of recruitment fees owed to employers within a statutory two-week period. Under the ministry's regulations, employers are entitled to refunds in the following circumstances: A worker terminates their contract or abandons their job without a valid reason The worker is deemed incompetent or unsuitable for the role during their probation period The employer ends the contract due to the recruitment office's failure to meet agreed conditions The employee is found to be medically unfit during their probation period Other infringements included a failure to display ministry-approved service package prices clearly to clients. The ministry urged customers to report any unauthorised practices by recruitment offices by calling its Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084. It reiterated that customers should ensure they deal only with licensed domestic worker recruitment offices in the Emirates, a full list of which is listed on the ministry's website. The clampdown on rule-breaking recruiters was announced only days after authorities said 77 unauthorised social media accounts had been shut down for carrying out domestic worker recruitment services illegally in the first six months of the year. The labour ministry had joined forces with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority to take action against the accounts, which were found to be operating without a licence from authorities. The ministry said employers − as well as Emirati and resident families − should only use licensed and approved recruitment agencies when looking to hire domestic staff. In 2022, A domestic labour law boosting workers' rights and clamping down on rogue recruiters and employers came into effect. The updated legislation is the latest step by the government to strengthen regulations safeguarding thousands of employees − including maids, nannies, cooks and gardeners − across the Emirates. The new directives expand the number of offences, which are punishable by fines and/or prison terms, for breaches of working conditions and rules from four to eight. Punishments include fines of between Dh20,000 ($5,450) and Dh100,000 and up to six months in prison for anyone who provides false information or fake documents to employ domestic helpers.
Argaam
2 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
Rasan unit wins tender to provide insurance products for domestic workers via ‘Musaned'
Rasan Information Technology Co. 's subsidiary Tameeni E-Insurance Broker Co., received a notification of award for the tender to provide insurance products for domestic workers through the Musaned platform, which is developed and operated by Takamol Holding. Service delivery will commence following the signing of the contract with Takamol Holding and the completion of the necessary procedures, the company said in a statement to Tadawul. The company expects this contract to have an impact exceeding 5% of the total revenue of Rasan, based on the latest audited annual financial statements. The contract is anticipated to be signed on Aug. 15, 2025, the statement added, indicating that the deal covers providing mandatory insurance products for domestic workers through the Musaned platform. The project aims to enhance the insurance protection framework for contracts concluded with domestic workers by offering a comprehensive insurance product that provides the mandatory coverage in accordance with applicable regulations and legislations, and in alignment with the standardized format of the compulsory insurance policy for domestic labor contracts. No related parties included in the deal. The company further noted that Musaned is one of the initiatives of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. It aims to regulate and facilitate domestic labor recruitment services. The platform is developed and operated by Takamol Holding. According to data available on Argaam, the company's revenue stood at SAR 358.33 million in 2024, of which 5% represents SAR 17.91 million.
Gulf Business
6 days ago
- Gulf Business
UAE shuts 77 social media accounts for illegal domestic worker recruitment
Image: Pexels The The action followed investigations by MoHRE, which revealed that these accounts were operating without official licences and engaging in the unauthorised recruitment of domestic workers—an explicit breach of regulations. MoHRE has reiterated its call for employers, Emirati nationals, and resident families to deal only with licensed and approved domestic worker recruitment agencies when hiring. The Ministry warned against engaging with unofficial social media platforms that promote illegal recruitment services. In an official statement, the Ministry stressed that 'dealing with unlicensed domestic worker recruitment agencies and unreliable social media pages promoting domestic worker services could lead to customers losing their legal rights, which are guaranteed when they exclusively deal with Ministry-licensed and approved agencies.' To support residents, the Ministry urges individuals to verify the credibility of any agency advertising domestic worker services through social media by contacting the call centre at 600590000. A comprehensive list of licensed agencies across the UAE, including their names and locations, is available on the Ministry's website:
The National
6 days ago
- The National
UAE shuts down 77 social media accounts for flouting domestic worker rules
The UAE closed down 77 unauthorised social media accounts for carrying out domestic worker recruitment services illegally in the first six months of the year. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation joined forces with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority to take action against the rogue accounts, which were found to be operating without a licence from authorities. On Wednesday, the ministry urged employers − as well as Emirati and expat families − to only use licensed and approved recruitment agencies when looking to hire domestic staff. It warned customers who hire domestic staff from unregistered bodies were at risk of losing legal protection that is guaranteed when dealing with authorised groups. The ministry urged the public to contact its call centre on 6005 90000 to verify the authenticity of any organisations promoting domestic workers through social media. A list of licensed agencies across the UAE − including their names and locations − is available on its website. In October 2023, nearly 50 recruitment agencies hiring domestic workers for the UAE market were closed down after failing to obtain necessary licences. In 2022, A domestic labour law boosting workers' rights and clamping down on rogue recruiters and employers came into effect. The updated legislation is the latest step by the government to strengthen regulations safeguarding thousands of employees − including maids, nannies, cooks and gardeners − across the Emirates. The new directives expand the number of offences, which are punishable by fines and/or prison terms, for breaches of working conditions and rules from four to eight. Punishments include fines of between Dh20,000 ($5,450) and Dh100,000 and up to six months in prison for anyone who provides false information or fake documents to employ domestic helpers. People who hire unlicensed workers, recruit staff but do not provide a job, or use permits for domestic workers for purposes other than those for which they were issued can be fined between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000. The same penalty applies to those who close recruitment agency operations without settling wages owed to domestic workers. Those who employ a worker under the age of 18 years or assist a worker to abscond or shelter absconding workers with an aim to exploit them in illegal activities face fines of up to Dh200,000.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
NHRI organises awareness workshop for domestic worker recruitment centre staff in Ajman, in cooperation with MoHRE
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: As part of its ongoing efforts to promote human rights awareness and reinforce a culture of protecting domestic workers' rights, the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) organised an awareness workshop for staff of domestic worker recruitment centres, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), at the Ministry's headquarters in the Emirate of Ajman. The workshop targeted employees of "Tadbeer" centres, where Abdulazeez Al Obathani, Head of International and Regional Organisations Section at the NHRI, delivered an introductory presentation on the role and mandate of the NHRI. The session highlighted the rights of domestic workers in the UAE and the responsibilities of employers in upholding these rights in accordance with best practices. Participants showed notable engagement throughout the session, which featured constructive discussions and inquiries aimed at enhancing Tadbeer staff's awareness of their roles in ensuring a fair and safe working environment that respects human dignity. The workshop also provided a platform to exchange views and address field-level challenges, in line with NHRI's commitment to nurturing a culture of human rights across the wider community. This workshop forms part of a broader series of initiatives and awareness sessions organised by NHRI across various Emirates, aligned with its mission to raise awareness and empower staff at relevant centres to carry out their duties guided by principles of fairness, responsibility, and respect. About the National Human Rights Institution: The National Human Rights Institution was established under Federal Law No. (12) of 2021 as an independent entity with financial and administrative autonomy in carrying out its functions, activities, and mandates. The NHRI aims to promote and protect human rights and freedoms in accordance with the provisions of the UAE Constitution, applicable laws and legislations, as well as relevant international conventions, treaties, and agreements.
