New Law Will Give Housemaids More Rights And Day Off

By Author: Maid Agency
Total Articles: 34

A new law recommended by the Ministry of Interior and approved by Federal National Council says that all domestic helpers have to be communicated on how to file a grievance against their employers if they are abused or caused any other problems. The law has specified rules for employers. The law states that it is an offence to ill-treat maids, not to give them days off or pay their salaries on time and not telling them the procedure of filing a complaint. The FNC made an amendment to the law that the domestic workers have to be given proper housing, treated properly without subjecting them to violence and provided knowledge about the UAE tradition and culture. There have been more than 1000 crimes committed by domestic helpers in the year 2012 compared to 862 crimes reported in the year 2011. This is due to the absence of information on the culture and law of the country. Though, not all the members of the FNC and the Ministry considered there was a necessity to give details on the rights of the workers, expressing that the amended list will stipulate all the information. However, most of the members it was essential to sanction the law. The conformity to list the domestic workers’ rights was approved with a vote of 23-10. In order to make sure that no bogus complaints are filed, opposed to the employer, the maids have to compulsorily give a pay receipt to their employers. The members also were adamant that these workers, when they come to the UAE must be free from any mental sickness and of mentally healthy. Some members insisted that particularly nannies and maids should not be free from any mental disorder as there were many cases of nannies committing crimes and to due to this reason they want to make sure family stability. On the issue of a compulsory weekly off for helpers, the members suggested that the law should permit the home helpers to leave from the employer’s house because the law specifies that the holiday is for relaxation but does not state whether the helper can leave the place or not. And this should be mentioned in the contract in advance. As per the law, the contract should be given to the domestic help prior to him or her arriving to the Emirates. Moreover, to make sure the Maids Agency In Dubai comply with the law, all The Dubai Maids Agency should be in charge of an Emirati person. Also, all the workers are required to go through medical tests before coming to the country. The Dubai Housemaid Agency has to reimburse all the fees paid by the employer to get in the worker to the UAE and also compensate for the helper’s return ticket if he or she has an infectious disease. In case if a maid gets pregnant, breaches the contract or leaves the job without any valid reason, then the agency is accountable for all the costs. On the other hand, if the housemaid becomes disabled while working, then the employer will be liable for giving a return ticket. And if there is an infringement of the law, then it will lead to imprisonment or fine. Mosque imams are now detached from the law. The professions included in the domestic workers are nannies, housemaids, cooks, personal drivers, gardeners, stable boys, shepherds, farm labors, falconers, security officers, housekeepers, personal tutors and personal nurses.