Human Resources And Emiratization Organizes Two Workshops In Sharjah To Raise Awareness Of The Domestic Helpers Law

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization recently organized two workshops in the council of Wasit District and the council of the Rahmaniya District in Sharjah. The workshops discussed the federal law No. (10) concerning the domestic helpers in cooperation with the councils of districts and villages in Sharjah and the Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal consultants in the presence of a number of employers and people interested in law.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization recently organized two workshops in the council of Wasit District and the council of the Rahmaniya District in Sharjah. The workshops discussed the federal law No. (10) concerning the domestic helpers in cooperation with the councils of districts and villages in Sharjah and the Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal consultants in the presence of a number of employers and people interested in law.

Adel Al Zarouni, Director of Domestic Helpers Guidance and Follow-up Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said the two workshops are part of the Ministry's efforts to promote awareness of the domestic helpers law and its executive regulations, which stipulate the rights and duties of employers and domestic helpers which ensures a stable balanced work environment."

He pointed out that during the two workshops, the service packages provided by the "Tadbeer" service centers were previewed including selecting the domestic worker through four packages provided by the centers and the completion of all the requirements for the work visa  as well as guidance and advising services, resolving disputes between the parties and other services aimed at providing convenience to the customers and raising their happiness."

In addition, the ministry reviewed the procedures of the ministry in implementation of the executive regulations of the law, which obliged the recruitment offices to "extend the period of guarantee of domestic helpers for two years and thus refund the full costs of the recruitment or part thereof to the employer according to the remaining period of the employment contract."

The refund of the full costs of recruiting to the employer or providing another worker according to the desire of the latter takes place in any of the four cases during the first six months of the contract and (the probation period). These cases include the termination of the contract by the worker without a legitimate reason, leaving work without an acceptable reason or worker's lack of fitness as well as inability to carry out his/her duties as required and agreed upon."

The partial refund of the costs of recruitment takes place in two cases during the period after the probation and until termination of the contract, which is for two years. The cases include the worker's termination of the contract after the probation period without a legitimate reason or leaving the work after the probation period without an acceptable reason. Calculation of these amounts is according to the remaining months of the contract."

For his part, Ahmed Al-Hosani, Head of the Inspection Division at the Domestic Helpers Guidance and Follow-up Department at the Ministry, reviewed the details of the packages provided by “Tadbeer” service centers for the recruitment and employment of domestic helpers, as well as the obligations of the recruitment offices and the rights of the employer according to the law and executive regulation.

The centers provide services through four packages with specific price ceilings for each package. The first package, the traditional package, provides the service of recruiting a domestic worker from outside the country who is employed by the employer for a two-year contract. The second package, (temporary package) for a domestic work registered on the service center "Tadbeer" to work for a contractual period in which the worker may not move as a domestic worker sponsored by the employer.

The third package (the probation package) provides the domestic helpers for who are registered on the center for a contractual period of six months. The workers will be allowed to work as resident workers for their employers in case of approval of concerned parties. The fourth package features a flexible system for employers, who can hire workers, registered on the service center “Tadbeer” on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.

Al Hosani discussed the most important themes that regulate the relationship between the employment parties , including the obligations of the recruitment offices, the employer and the worker, as well as the terms of the work contracts in terms of working hours and holidays, the terms of termination of the employment contract and end of service benefits.

The law of domestic helpers is in 41 articles, including provisions on definitions, the scope of the law, offices of recruitment and employment of workers, labor contract, organization of work, vacations, employer and worker obligations, inspection, penalties, end of service indemnity, termination of contract and settlement of disputes.

During the workshops, which were attended by Ahmed Al-Matrooshi, Chairman of the Board of Al Rahmania Suburb and Omar Al-Taniji, Head of Councils Activities, saw the review of the Smart App “Tadbeer” for the recruitment of domestic helpers and the privileges it provides to clients.

The smart app allows users to view the list of service centers “Tadbeer” in terms of name, location, means of communication, the official working hours, search for domestic helpers available at the centers according to their nationality, access their CVs, professional skills and experience, and applying for contracts as well as requesting an interview with the domestic worker at the service center. The app also shows a number of awareness materials and other services.

The app provides several features such as receiving alerts and responding to inquiries regarding the procedures and regulations of the ' Tadbeer' service centers through chat.

The domestic helpers occupations include housemaid, private sailor, watchman and security guard, household shepherd, household horse groomer, household falcon caretaker and trainer, domestic labourer, housekeeper, cook, babysitter/nanny, household farmer, gardener, private coach, private nurse, private teacher, private PRO, private agriculture engineer and family chauffeur.