Direct domestic worker recruitment requires Mohre-approved undertaking from employer

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) has clarified the key differences between hiring domestic workers through a licensed recruitment agency and recruiting directly.

Under traditional recruitment, employers hire domestic workers through agencies licensed by Mohre. The arrangement is governed by a contract between the employer and recruitment office, providing the employer with the guarantees outlined in the UAE's Domestic Workers Law.

Direct recruitment allows employers to hire a domestic worker without using a recruitment agency. In this case, employers must submit an undertaking approved by Mohre, accepting full responsibility for the recruitment. Mohre noted that direct recruitment does not include the guarantees provided under the Domestic Workers Law. Employers are also not entitled to rely on any prior or future agreement or contract, or claim any guarantee related to the domestic worker.

The ministry recently announced that 42 domestic worker recruitment offices were fined for 135 legal and administrative violations.