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UAE Fines 42 Domestic Worker Agencies for 135 Violations

MoHRE targets refund delays and rule breaches to protect employers and workers.

  • Publish date: since 2 hour Reading time: two min read
UAE Fines 42 Domestic Worker Agencies for 135 Violations

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has fined 42 domestic worker recruitment offices for committing 135 legal and administrative violations during the first half of 2026.

This move is part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to protect the rights of both employers and workers in the country.

Why Were the Agencies Fined?

According to MoHRE, the majority of the issues involved refund delays. Specifically, 106 violations were related to agencies failing to refund recruitment fees to employers within the legally required timeframe.

Under the UAE Domestic Workers Law, recruitment offices must refund these fees within two weeks if a domestic worker is returned to the office or stops working. The ministry highlighted that following this refund policy is essential to avoid disputes and maintain a fair relationship between employers and agencies.

An additional 29 violations were registered against offices that did not follow the approved rules and procedures for recruiting domestic workers.

Ensuring High Standards in the UAE

There are currently 138 licensed domestic worker recruitment offices operating across the UAE. MoHRE praised the majority of these agencies for their high level of compliance, transparency, and excellent service quality.

The ministry confirmed that its inspection teams will continue to monitor all licensed offices to ensure they meet official UAE standards and provide reliable services to the public.

How to Report Issues and Stay Safe

To ensure a safe and smooth recruitment process, MoHRE advises all employers to only deal with licensed recruitment offices listed on its official website. Employers should also carefully review all official regulations and terms before signing any contracts.

If you experience any issues or notice negative practices, you can report them directly to the ministry through its official digital platforms or by calling the Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre at 80084.

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AI contributed to the creation of this article.