UAE reveals new fee packages for hiring domestic workers

The UAE has announced new fees for recruiting domestic workers in the country.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation revealed that workers can be hired via four packages provided across 11 Tadbeer service centres, official news agency WAM reported.

The first package relates to the recruitment of domestic workers from outside the country. The maximum recruitment fee for this package is Dhs14,000 for Filipino workers, Dhs15,000 for Indonesian and Sri Lankan workers, Dhs5,000 for Ethiopian workers, Dhs6,500 for Kenyan and Ugandan workers, Dhs2,000 for Indian workers, Dhs7,000 for Bangladeshi workers, and Dhs14,500 for Nepalese workers.

The amount excludes government fees for entry visas, accommodation and medical check-ups.

The second package applies to hiring domestic workers who are registered for a contractual period of six months.

Employers who select this package on a monthly basis will pay Dhs2,500 for Filipino and Indonesian workers, Dhs2,300 for Ethiopian and Ugandan workers, Dhs2,250 for Bangladeshi, Kenyan, Nepalese and Indian workers, and Dhs2,200 for Sri Lankan workers, until the end of the six-month period.

After the end of the six months, the workers will be allowed to work as resident workers for their employers or host families, subject to the approval of involved parties.

The workers must also pay a moving fee after the end of their contract, which is Dhs8,000 for Filipino workers and Dhs6,000 for Indian and Nepalese workers. While Indonesian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi workers will have to pay Dhs4,500, Ethiopian, Kenyan and Ugandan workers will pay Dhs3,500.

The third package involves the temporary recruitment of domestic workers for a two-year period.

The workers will not be allowed to work as resident workers for their employers or families after the set period, and the maximum monthly fee for this package is Dhs2,500 for Filipino and Indonesian workers, Dhs2,300 for Sri Lankan, Ethiopian and Ugandan workers, and Dhs2,250 for Kenyan, Indian, Bangladeshi and Nepalese workers.

The fourth package features a flexible system for employers, who can hire workers on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. The costs are the same for workers from all nationalities at Dhs120 for four hours daily, Dhs200 for eight hours a day, Dhs1,120 for seven days, Dhs3,500 for 30 days, Dhs3,250 per month for six months, and Dhs3,000 monthly for 12 months.

Khalil Ibrahim Khouri, assistant under-secretary for Assistive Employment Affairs, said the ministry was keen to provide packages at “reasonable prices” for recruiting domestic workers.

He added that the packages will be updated every six months, in coordination with relevant authorities.