Domestic worker agencies must refund fees in four cases under MoHRE rule

Domestic worker recruitment agencies in the UAE are required to refund all or part of recruitment fees paid by employers in a number of specific circumstances, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has said. Licensed agencies must reimburse employers if a domestic worker fails to meet professional competency or behavioural standards during the probation period, resigns or leaves work, or if the employer terminates the contract because agreed conditions have not been met. Employers are also entitled to recover government fees if the worker is found medically unfit. Refunds must be made within two weeks of the worker being returned or reported absent. The obligation does not apply if the employer directly recruits a worker by name. 57 agencies committed 300 violations in 2025, mostly for failing to refund fees on time. MoHRE warned of penalties including licence cancellation.