Domestic workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) refer to individuals employed to perform household tasks and personal services within private residences or family properties. This category is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 (as amended by No. 21 of 2023) under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which regulates their recruitment, employment, rights, and obligations to ensure fair treatment, protection from exploitation, and alignment with UAE labour standards.

Key Features

  • Covered Professions — There are 19 recognized occupations, including housemaids, housekeepers, nannies/babysitters, cooks, private drivers/chauffeurs, gardeners, household shepherds, horse groomers, falcon trainers, private tutors, personal trainers, private nurses, security guards, and others such as private agricultural engineers or personal PROs.
  • Recruitment Process — Domestic workers must be recruited through licensed Tadbeer centres (MOHRE-approved domestic worker service centres). These centres handle visa processing, medical examinations, contracts, and often provide orientation training on rights, UAE customs, and job skills.
  • Core Principles — The law emphasizes informed consent (workers must know contract terms before arriving), prohibition of recruitment fees charged to workers, mandatory standard contracts, and protections like paid wages, rest periods, annual leave, health insurance, and end-of-service benefits.
  • Rights and Protections — Workers are entitled to a maximum of 12 working hours per day, at least 12 hours of daily rest (including 8 continuous hours), one paid weekly day off, 30 days of annual paid leave, sick leave, and repatriation support. Employers must provide suitable accommodation, medical care, and respectful treatment.
  • Employer Obligations — Hiring only through licensed channels, timely wage payment (often via Wages Protection System for certain roles), and resolution of disputes through MOHRE.

This category supports family life in the UAE by providing essential household assistance while prioritizing worker welfare and legal compliance. For the latest details, refer to the official MOHRE website or a licensed Tadbeer centre.

Cook Cook

The Cooking Training course is designed for domestic cooks and household helpers in the UAE, equipping them with essential skills to prepare safe, nutritious, and appealing meals tailored to family preferences. Covering kitchen hygiene, food safety practices, proper handling and storage of ingredients, and prevention of cross-contamination, the course ensures compliance with health standards. Participants learn a wide range of basic to advanced recipes across multiple cuisines, effective meal planning for daily and special occasions, and accommodation of special dietary requirements such as allergies, halal preparation, and restricted diets. Through practical guidance on efficient use of kitchen appliances, knife skills, and organized workflow, trainees gain the confidence and competence to deliver high-quality, professional culinary service while maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment.