The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that domestic workers will not be charged any judicial fees when filing lawsuits at any stage of litigation, ensuring their access to swift and cost-free legal proceedings.
The ministry clarified that any disputes between domestic workers and their employers or recruitment agencies must first be referred to MoHRE for mediation. If an amicable settlement cannot be reached, the case will be forwarded to the competent court.
Under the country’s regulations, domestic workers are protected by employment contracts with a standard two-year term, which can be renewed under the same conditions. Both parties have the right to terminate the contract if one party fails to fulfill their obligations.
MoHRE also outlined that if an employer ends the contract without fault on the part of the domestic worker, they are required to cover the worker’s flight expenses back home and settle any remaining dues. In cases where the domestic worker is recruited through an agency, the agency is responsible for covering repatriation costs if the worker wishes to return.
The ministry emphasized that legal disputes must be initiated within three months from the termination of the employment relationship, after which they will not be considered.
