New UAE domestic help law: Some hiring firms to continue operations

Abu Dhabi - The ministry had closed 250 recruitment offices for domestic workers in the UAE after their licences had expired.

A number of UAE private recruitment firms for domestic helpers — whose services are yet to be stopped — have been given a chance to apply for Tadbeer licences that would allow them to continue their operations, the authorities have said.

Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said the ministry has conducted a survey to assess the market’s needs for domestic helpers and gauged how many centres are required to ensure that families’ needs are not affected.

“The study concluded that there was need to provide at least 60 service centres for domestic helpers at the state level,” said Al Hamli, adding that the ministry has given priority to ‘old or existing’ recruitment offices that were scheduled to close in March. They were asked to submit their applications for Tadbeer licences.

On Tuesday, Al Hamli told members of the Federal National Council (FNC) that the ministry had closed 250 recruitment offices for domestic workers in the UAE after their licences had expired. He noted that the remaining 10 offices were to shut down in March.

The move is to streamline the hiring of this category of blue-collar employees and better protect their rights.