UAE Guarantees Seven Rights for Domestic Workers

The United Arab Emirates has officially outlined seven legal entitlements for domestic workers, as per the Federal Decree-Law governing domestic labor. These entitlements include: 1) Payment of wages within 10 days from the due date as per the standard contract; 2) One day of paid rest per week; 3) 12 hours of rest per day, with at least 8 consecutive hours; 4) Paid annual leave of no less than 30 days; 5) A round-trip ticket home every two years; 6) No more than 30 days of sick leave per year; 7) Possession of personal identification papers, such as passports and IDs.

The explicit listing of passport possession as a legal entitlement is significant, addressing the issue of withholding identity documents from domestic workers, which has been prevalent in parts of the Middle East. The provisions for rest and leave establish a structured baseline for working conditions, ensuring that workers are treated fairly and have their rights protected.