MoHRE suspends licences of 153 employers whose domestic workers caught working for others

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has suspended the licences of 153 employers, imposing fines on them after their registered domestic workers were caught working for others.

This comes as part of joint campaigns between MoHRE and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, to inspect non-compliant workers across the country over the past two months.

Employers subject to restrictions face administrative penalties, including the denial of new domestic worker permits, and referral to the Public Prosecution to take the necessary legal and financial action against them, which includes a fine of up to AED50,000.

These measures are in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers and its executive regulations, which prohibit the employment of domestic workers without work permits or allowing them to work for others without complying with relevant conditions and re-adjusting their status. The same measures will also be taken against the companies that accept such workers.

MoHRE issued a statement cautioning employers against hiring illegal domestic workers or hiring domestic workers who work for others without re-adjusting their status. “This is an explicit violation of legislations and poses health and social risks to employers and their families,” MoHRE said.

The Ministry added that it will not be lenient in enforcing the law against violators.

“We call on employers to deal exclusively with licensed domestic worker recruitment agencies, which can be found listed on the MoHRE’s official website and social media pages,” it explained.