UAE Lists 19 Occupations Classified as Domestic Work

The UAE’s official government platform has identified 19 occupations that fall under the domestic worker category. Authorities urge employers to recruit only through agencies licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

The list includes housemaids, sailors, guards, shepherds, jockeys, animal tamers, falcon caretakers, housekeepers, cooks, nannies and babysitters, farm workers and growers, gardeners, personal trainers and coaches, private tutors, home nurses, personal assistants, private agricultural engineers, and personal or family drivers.

Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 sets out a range of protections. Workers are entitled to one paid day of weekly rest. If they work that day, they must receive an alternative rest day or payment equivalent to one day’s wage. They must also receive at least 12 hours of daily rest, including eight consecutive hours.

Annual leave totals 30 paid days a year and must be paid before it begins. Workers employed for six months to one year receive two days of leave for each month of service. They are also entitled to a return ticket to their home country every two years, or a one-way ticket if both parties agree to end the employment contract after annual leave.

Employers must pay wages under the standard contract within 10 days of the due date and provide adequate housing and food. Sick leave cannot exceed 30 days a year. The first 15 days are paid, while the following 15 are paid at half rate. Workers are also entitled to keep their personal identification documents, including passports and identity cards.

Before bringing a worker into the UAE, recruitment agencies must explain the job and wages and obtain evidence of the worker’s physical, health, psychological and professional readiness. Agencies must conduct the required medical examinations within 30 days before entry, explain UAE customs and traditions, and tell workers which authorities handle complaints.

The law also sets obligations for agencies and employers, with hefty penalties for violations. If a dispute arises, either the worker or employer may file a labor complaint with the ministry. The ministry will try to resolve the case, and unresolved matters will go to the competent court.