05-03-2007
New law on domestic workers from April
The UAE today announced that it would introduce new standard contracts to regulate relations between domestic workers and their employers with effect from April 1.
His Highness Lt.Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Minister of Interior, announced on Sunday details of a new unified domestic worker contract that is designed to regulate the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers.
To be implemented from April 1, throughout the United Arab Emirates, the unified contract confirms the UAE's commitment to continuously improve its legal frameworks and to adhere to global best practices under the guidance of H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the UAE and within the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Lt.General Sheikh Saif said the new contract will play a significant role in improving the quality of life of the UAE's expatriate residents, particularly domestic workers who constitute a large segment of the workforce.
He added that the departments of Immigration and Naturalization, throughout the UAE, will enforce the new contract when issuing new work visas for domestic workers.
"The core of the new contract is transparency in the relationship between the employer and the worker, while ensuring that both party's rights are protected," said Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Department of Naturalization and Residency in Dubai, and chairman of the department's committee responsible of drafting the new unified contract.
"The contract stresses the importance of regulating work, the nature of work involved, and the need for clearly defined rest periods. It also states the importance of providing proper healthcare, in line with government rules, and states that salaries should also be agreed upon by both parties," Al Marri added.
The domestic workers contract will be valid for two years from the start of actual work and can be extended by mutual consent. It includes conditions governing vacation, air tickets and medical care. It also details the procedures to be taken, should either party wish to break the contract before the end of the contract period or if an employee chooses to be reimbursed instead of taking his/her vacation or flight tickets.
According to the new procedures, three original copies of the contract - in Arabic and English - must be signed by both parties. Each party will receive one copy and the third will be filed with the Department of Immigration and Naturalization to refer to if needed.
The first article of the new contract specifies the monthly salary. It also states that the salary must be paid in full at the end of every month.
Both parties must sign a salary slip - in Arabic and English - each month which will be kept by the employer as a record of payments.
The contract requires that domestic workers commit to performing the duties and responsibilities associated with the job. Special clauses are included to prevent the employer from forcing the worker to undertake hazardous, or unethical tasks, or assigning them work for another party.
Also clearly stated in the contract is the employer's responsibility in assisting domestic workers with transferring their salaries through the UAE's bank system, facilitating communication with families back home, and sending letters - without reading them - at the expense of the worker.
In the event of the death of the do
His Highness Lt.Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Minister of Interior, announced on Sunday details of a new unified domestic worker contract that is designed to regulate the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers.
To be implemented from April 1, throughout the United Arab Emirates, the unified contract confirms the UAE's commitment to continuously improve its legal frameworks and to adhere to global best practices under the guidance of H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the UAE and within the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Lt.General Sheikh Saif said the new contract will play a significant role in improving the quality of life of the UAE's expatriate residents, particularly domestic workers who constitute a large segment of the workforce.
He added that the departments of Immigration and Naturalization, throughout the UAE, will enforce the new contract when issuing new work visas for domestic workers.
"The core of the new contract is transparency in the relationship between the employer and the worker, while ensuring that both party's rights are protected," said Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Department of Naturalization and Residency in Dubai, and chairman of the department's committee responsible of drafting the new unified contract.
"The contract stresses the importance of regulating work, the nature of work involved, and the need for clearly defined rest periods. It also states the importance of providing proper healthcare, in line with government rules, and states that salaries should also be agreed upon by both parties," Al Marri added.
The domestic workers contract will be valid for two years from the start of actual work and can be extended by mutual consent. It includes conditions governing vacation, air tickets and medical care. It also details the procedures to be taken, should either party wish to break the contract before the end of the contract period or if an employee chooses to be reimbursed instead of taking his/her vacation or flight tickets.
According to the new procedures, three original copies of the contract - in Arabic and English - must be signed by both parties. Each party will receive one copy and the third will be filed with the Department of Immigration and Naturalization to refer to if needed.
The first article of the new contract specifies the monthly salary. It also states that the salary must be paid in full at the end of every month.
Both parties must sign a salary slip - in Arabic and English - each month which will be kept by the employer as a record of payments.
The contract requires that domestic workers commit to performing the duties and responsibilities associated with the job. Special clauses are included to prevent the employer from forcing the worker to undertake hazardous, or unethical tasks, or assigning them work for another party.
Also clearly stated in the contract is the employer's responsibility in assisting domestic workers with transferring their salaries through the UAE's bank system, facilitating communication with families back home, and sending letters - without reading them - at the expense of the worker.
In the event of the death of the do
