The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has taken stringent action against four domestic worker recruitment agencies based in Al Ain. The agencies were found operating without the necessary licenses and have subsequently been shut down, with the owners slapped with a hefty Dh50,000 fine each.
The Department of Economic Development marked the agencies with ‘closure’ signs, indicating that they are no longer permitted to function. The ministry has also handed over the cases of these agencies to the public prosecution for further legal actions.
While the establishments have been shut down, provisions have been made for the affected domestic workers. “A temporary accommodation has been arranged for these workers, and they have consented to be transferred to recruitment agencies approved by MoHRE,” a representative from the ministry commented.
These agencies were discovered during an extensive inspection campaign carried out jointly by the ministry, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and the Department of Economic Development’s Abu Dhabi – Al Ain branch, two weeks ago.
This is not an isolated incident. From 2022 until now, the MoHRE has penalized 45 recruitment and domestic worker agencies for similar violations.
Following the federal law introduced last December concerning the employment of domestic workers, both Emiratis and expatriates are mandated to engage only with MoHRE-approved agencies. A comprehensive list of these licensed agencies is accessible on the ministry’s official website.
In a statement, the MoHRE warned residents against associating with unlicensed establishments and urged the public to report any illegal operations by calling 600590000.
Highlighting their ongoing efforts, the ministry mentioned, “Our focus is on proactive monitoring, community reports, and regular checks to guarantee that only authorized agencies undertake recruitment activities.”
Moreover, the MoHRE recently cancelled the licenses of two domestic worker recruitment agencies—Shamma Al Mahairi Domestic Workers Services Centre in Dubai and Al Barq Domestic Workers Services Centre LLC in Ajman—for non-compliance with established rules.