The law outlines essential working conditions, including paid holidays and rest days.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, has issued a federal law on domestic helpers.

Drafted earlier this year, the 41-article law has now been officially approved. The law is intended to ensure decent working and living conditions for domestic workers.

It will apply to several professions under the ‘domestic worker’ title, including housemaids, housekeepers, domestic labourers, babysitters and private teachers.

Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation said the law will work to achieve balance, regulate the contractual working relationship, and provide legal protection of all concerned parties, according to local news agency wam.ae.

ALSO READ:

All Dubai taxi drivers will now get at least one day off a week…

Police are cracking down on swerving motorists with hefty fines

Under the new law, domestic workers are entitled to one day of paid rest per week and 12 hours of rest per day – which must include eight hours consecutively.

It also highlights that domestic workers should receive 30 days’ paid vacation per year and entitles them to keep their personal identification papers, such as passports and IDs.

Legal prohibitions also reference that no one under the age of 18 can be employed, and sexual harassment both verbal and physical is prohibited.

The law will come into effect two months after publication in the official gazette.

– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.