The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) revealed on 27 July 2026 that it has issued administrative penalties against 42 recruitment offices after detecting 135 violations in the first half of the year. The majority of breaches—106 cases—concerned agencies that failed to refund employers within the mandated 14 days when domestic staff absconded or were found unsuitable. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, recruitment firms must guarantee workers for a probationary period and return placement fees promptly if the hire terminates early. Offending offices now face fines of AED 20,000–100,000 and possible licence suspensions. Twelve agencies were closed outright in a separate February crackdown. The announcement carries direct implications for expatriate families and corporate assignees who rely on licensed agencies to hire nannies, drivers and housekeepers. MoHRE urged residents to verify an office’s licence on its website before signing contracts and to retain copies of payment receipts, contracts and visa pages in case of disputes. For corporate mobility programs, the enforcement drive is a timely reminder to audit third-party vendors that provide household staff for senior executives. Companies should ensure service-level agreements incorporate refund timelines, medical‐fitness guarantees and clear responsibility for visa sponsorship transfers. Legal advisers expect MoHRE inspections to intensify as the government seeks to professionalise the domestic-work sector and protect both workers’ rights and employer interests, aligning with broader efforts to elevate the UAE’s attractiveness for expatriate talent.
Source: The National
