The UAE has one of the most comprehensive domestic worker protection frameworks in the GCC region. Under Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 (amended 2023), domestic workers in UAE have clearly defined legal rights that employers are legally obligated to respect. This guide covers everything workers and employers need to know.
⚡ Quick Facts
| ⚖️ Law | Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 (amended by No. 21 of 2023) |
| 📞 Worker Helpline | 600 590 000 — 24 hours, toll-free |
| 🏛️ Authority | MOHRE — Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation |
| 💰 Max Fine (Employer) | MOHRE administrative fines from AED 100 to AED 20,000 per worker or case (Cabinet Resolution 106/2022); court fines from AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000 (Art. 27), up to AED 10 million when multiplied per worker |
| 🛡️ Passport Rights | Workers have the right to keep their own passport |
| 🌐 Complaints | MOHRE App or mohre.gov.ae |
✅ Complete List of Domestic Worker Rights in UAE 2026
💰 1. Salary Rights
- ✅ Salary must be paid as agreed in the MOHRE contract
- ✅ Payment must be made within 10 days of the due date
- ✅ Salary within 10 days of its due date (Art. 15); WPS optional for housemaids, mandatory for five roles (MR 675/2022) — a bank transfer keeps proof
- ✅ Employer cannot deduct salary without legal reason
⏰ 2. Working Hours
- ✅ Maximum 12 hours per day (including breaks)
- ✅ Adequate rest and prayer breaks must be provided
- ✅ Overtime must be compensated if agreed in contract
🏖️ 3. Leave Entitlements
- ✅ 1 day off per week (paid) — agreed between employer and worker
- ✅ 30 days paid annual leave per year after completing 1 year of service
- ✅ Sick leave — 30 days paid sick leave per year
- ✅ Official UAE public holidays as agreed in contract
🏥 4. Medical & Insurance Rights
- ✅ Medical fitness examination after arrival, before the residence visa is issued
- ✅ Medical insurance — mandatory in every emirate since 1 January 2025
- ✅ Treatment for work-related injuries at employer's expense
🛂 5. Passport & Document Rights
✅ Domestic workers have the legal right to keep their own passport. Employers are PROHIBITED from confiscating passports. Violation is a criminal offence in the UAE.
🏠 6. Accommodation & Meals
- ✅ Suitable accommodation — private room with proper ventilation
- ✅ Three meals per day — adequate nutrition
- ✅ Access to a phone to contact family
✈️ 7. Return Air Ticket
- ✅ Return air ticket to home country at end of contract (every 2 years)
- ✅ Air ticket must be provided if employer terminates contract without cause
💼 8. End of Service Rights
- ✅ Gratuity: no fixed rate in the current law (Art. 22) — check MoHRE's calculator and your contract
- ✅ Payable upon contract completion or employer-initiated termination
🚨 Filing a MOHRE Complaint (For Workers)
600 590 000 — available 24 hours, toll-free, in multiple languages.
Download the MOHRE app and file a complaint digitally.
Present your complaint in person at any UAE MOHRE office.
MOHRE contacts employer and mediates. Serious cases go to court.
Workers are protected from employer retaliation during the complaint process.
🚨 Employer Violations & Penalties
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Keeping the worker's passport or documents | AED 500 per worker administrative fine; court fine under Art. 27 |
| Salary delay beyond 10 days | AED 500–5,000 per worker; MOHRE file suspended if unpaid for more than two months |
| Physical or verbal abuse | Criminal prosecution + AED 20,000 administrative fine per case |
| No medical insurance (any emirate) | Fine + permit renewal blocked |
| Denying annual leave | MOHRE intervention + compensation |
Can a domestic worker leave their employer in UAE?
Not on a fixed notice period: the law sets none. She may leave, keeping her rights, 2 weeks after notifying MoHRE if her wage is cut or the employer breaks the contract, and at once if she is assaulted (Cabinet Resolution 106/2022, Art. 10). If she leaves after probation for her own reasons, a directly recruited worker pays her own ticket home (Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 20).
What if an employer refuses to pay the maid's salary?
The worker should file a complaint immediately with MOHRE at 600 590 000 or via the MOHRE app. MOHRE can impose fines and legally order the employer to pay all outstanding wages.
Are domestic workers entitled to overtime pay?
Overtime is not mandated by law but should be agreed in the employment contract. If the contract includes overtime provisions, the employer must honor them.
Can a domestic worker change employer?
Yes — domestic workers can transfer to another employer through MOHRE, especially if the current employer violates the contract. This is called 'change of sponsor' and requires MOHRE approval.
Is there a MOHRE protection center for domestic workers?
Yes — MOHRE operates a Protection Center that provides shelter, legal support, and assistance for domestic workers who are in danger or have suffered abuse.
🏠 Find a MOHRE-Verified Tadbeer Center Near You
GCC Domestic has a directory of 130+ MOHRE-approved Tadbeer centers across the UAE. Compare centers, view WhatsApp contacts, and hire legally — zero commission.
📌 Source: MOHRE UAE Official Website — Updated 2026. Always verify latest requirements at mohre.gov.ae.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic rights of a domestic worker in the UAE in 2026?
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, domestic workers in the UAE are entitled to a written contract, a weekly paid rest day, daily rest hours, 30 days of paid annual leave, medical care or insurance, salary paid on time through approved channels, and the right to keep their own passport. Employers cannot withhold passports or wages.
How many rest days does a domestic worker get in the UAE?
Domestic workers are entitled to at least one paid rest day per week, plus daily rest hours. If work is required on a rest day, it should be compensated in line with MOHRE rules and the employment contract.
Can an employer hold a domestic worker's passport in the UAE?
No. Holding or confiscating a worker's passport is illegal in the UAE. The passport remains the personal property of the worker at all times.
How does a domestic worker file a complaint with MOHRE?
Workers can file a complaint through MOHRE's official channels — the MOHRE app or website (mohre.gov.ae) or its contact centre. MOHRE reviews disputes over wages, working conditions or contract terms and can refer unresolved cases for further action.
Must a domestic worker's salary be paid through an official system?
Salaries should be paid on time and through approved channels rather than informal cash-only arrangements, in line with MOHRE's wage-protection rules for domestic workers. This protects the worker and gives both sides a clear record.