Hiring of Filipino maids in UAE now cheaper by Dh8,000

Dubai - UAE has set certain costs for hiring foreign domestic workers, depending on their countries of origin and hiring packaages

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced the official opening of 11 Tadbeer centres - the one-stop shops for recruiting domestic employees under government-approved unified costs - on Tuesday.
The ministry also announced that the cost of bringing Filipino workers is now reduced from Dh20,000 to Dh12,000, after talks and MoUs were signed with the government of Philippines.
The new centres, which started officially operating on Tuesday, include two in Abu Dhabi, four in Dubai, one in Sharjah, three in Ajman and one in Fujairah. An additional 14 centres are scheduled to be operational by the end of this year.
The opening of Tadbeer centers come as part of the ministry's efforts to supervise the recruitment process of domestic workers and provide one-stop centre to guarantee proper visas, orientation and training for workers.
Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, under-secretary of Human Resources Affairs at MoHRE, said the ministry has been able to open new markets to recruit workers, diversifying options for employers and families.
"We signed MoUs with a number of countries including India, Sri Lanka and Kenya, as part of the ministry's plan to enhance cooperation with labour-exporting governments. This also contributes to the control and supervision of worker recruitment," said Al Suwaidi.
The government has set certain costs for bringing in workers, depending on their countries of origin and the package under which families choose to hire workers.
Al Suwaidi said costs were set after conducting a study to assess employers' views and expectations, where the majority of those surveyed reported a relevant cost of Dh8,000-Dh10,000.
On Tuesday, Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, inaugurated a Tadbeer centre branch in Ajman. He addressed the need to provide distinguished services to clients to meet their expectations while complying with the standards set by the ministry.
Al Suwaidi said MoHRE has intensified its efforts since it begun processing the recruitment and employment of domestic workers in late 2016 under a cabinet decision.
Authorities developed a legislative framework to regulate the recruitment of domestic workers and guarantee their rights, besides enhancing cooperation with labour-exporting countries to apply best practices through all stages of contractual employment.
Crackdown on wrong practices
MoHRE assessed the conditions of UAE recruitment offices after receiving complaints about wrong practices in terms of costs offered and change in the nature of work post-recruitment.
Al Suwaidi said: "Families were faced with exaggerated costs of recruitment, and some offices failed to abide by certain agreements made to employers."
He pointed out the violation of workers' rights and failure to provide them with the right environment after they were brought into the country. "Such practices contradict the UAE traditions and government's vision," said Al Suwaidi.
Accordingly, the ministry stopped renewing the licences of recruitment agencies, which now have to register through Tadbeer and abide by certain set, unified standards to continue operating.
To start with, the centres will guarantee that domestic workers are hired for at least six months under company sponsorship and families will have the option of replacing the worker or getting their money paid for the remaining period, as per the contract signed with the centre.
Through this private-public partnership, Tadbeer centres will now provide integrated services under the government's supervision, to ensure convenience to both parties involved (families and workers).
The centres provide all services related to domestic workers' recruitment, from opening a file for the client and issuing and cancelling work permits and contracts, to issuing medical tests, health insurance and ID services. Transportation to and from the airport is provided to workers, with housing for them until they're hired.
A specialised support centre is also provided to ensure guide and educate both parties on their rights and duties.

Costs of hiring domestic workers