UAE Enacts Law Protecting Domestic Workers' Rights

The United Arab Emirates has released Federal Decree Law No. 21 of 2023, which outlines six prohibited actions that employers cannot impose on domestic workers. This law amends previous provisions under Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 and is aimed at protecting vulnerable labor groups within the country.

The prohibited actions include: discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, nationality, or disability; harassment (verbal or physical); forced labor; exposure to physical harm; assignment of tasks outside the contract; and employing workers outside the legal scope without approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The law applies to various domestic workers, including cleaners, cooks, nannies, drivers, and caregivers.

By explicitly naming these prohibited actions, the legislation provides domestic workers with a clearer legal basis for filing complaints or seeking protection, particularly emphasizing the requirement for administrative approval before expanding a worker's responsibilities.