The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued a decision regarding the licensing and regulation of the operations of domestic worker placement offices, in line with the provisions of the Federal Decree-Law on regulating labor relations and its implementing regulations.
The licenses of the existing offices will remain in force, provided that their owners comply with all the requirements contained in the said decision when renewing their licenses obtained from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The Ministry stressed at this time that the existing offices must fulfil their obligations to their clients, including employers, and the families of citizens and residents.
The Ministerial Resolution sets out a number of conditions for the licensing of domestic worker placement offices, including the submission of a bank guarantee or insurance as an alternative to a guarantee, in accordance with procedures established by the Ministry, and a credit report reflecting the financial situation of the applicant, whether a natural person in a sole proprietorship or partners in a legal entity. The resolution stipulates that the natural person in a sole proprietorship or one of the partners of a legal entity applying for the license must not be an employee of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or a second-degree relative or the husband or wife.
The decision allows domestic worker placement offices to open branches in the same emirate where it is licensed or in any other emirate, provided that they meet the local licensing authorities’ requirements, and provide a unique address of the office designated to carry out its work, except in the case where the Ministry allows the license applicant to carry out their activities electronically.
The decision established a set of obligations of the Labour Office towards domestic workers, including the provision of adequate accommodation and living expenses and, in the case of temporary employment, the fulfilment of all obligations of an employer towards the domestic worker established by law.
It also set out the office's obligations to employment agencies outside the country, including the obligation to implement the conditions and controls contained in agreements signed by the Ministry with the country in which the agency is based, and to report to the Ministry the number and data of domestic workers assigned to the office, as well as the prohibition on negotiating with employment agencies, office or persons. or with any unlicensed entity outside the country.
The decision sets out the obligations of the offices to the Ministry, including the obligation to provide support services, including the provision of service packages circulated by the Ministry, at prices approved by the Ministry, and to abide by all terms and conditions of the service agreement entered into with the Ministry to ensure quality service delivery.
It also set out the beneficiary's obligations to domestic workers, including ensuring all conditions of health and safety at work, nature of the work, and not to assign work outside the general framework agreed with the office, not to work longer hours than those agreed with the office, and to inform the Office and the Ministry directly of any accidents at work or injuries sustained by the domestic worker.