The UAE government has issued a Federal Decree-Law amending provisions of the Federal Decree-Law Concerning Domestic Workers and its Amendments. The changes aim to strengthen rights and expedite dispute resolution in employment relationships.
Under the new decree, jurisdiction for domestic worker disputes shifts from the Court of Appeal to the Court of First Instance. The Courts of Appeal must transfer pending cases to the Court of First Instance without fees, except for cases already sentenced or awaiting sentencing.
The law mandates that unresolved disputes between employers, domestic workers, or recruitment companies be referred to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). If deemed unsuccessful, the case moves to the Court of First Instance with a summary of the dispute and Ministry recommendations.
The Ministry then gains authority to resolve disputes for claims up to AED50,000 or involving non-compliance with prior Ministry settlements. These decisions will have the force of an executive instrument. Parties may contest Ministry decisions in the Court of First Instance within 15 working days of notification. The court’s ruling is final, and filing a lawsuit suspends enforcement of the Ministry’s decision.
Apart from that the post mentions that a fine ranging from 100,000 Dhs to 1,000,000Dhs will be imposed for employers if:
- they employ a worker without a proper work permit or bring workers without providing them a job.
- close a business without settling the rights of the workers.
- engage in any act of circumvention of the law or regulation governing the labour marker.
- employ a minor in violation of law.
