What rights do domestic workers like housemaids and nannies have in the UAE?

Domestic workers in the UAE, including housemaids and nannies, are protected by a dedicated federal law. You are entitled to prompt payment of your agreed wage each month, one paid weekly rest day, daily rest hours, thirty days of paid annual leave, and decent accommodation and medical care. Your employer may not keep your passport — identity documents belong to you. Complaints go to MOHRE, which runs a dispute process for this sector: call its hotline or visit a service centre; your standard contract is the reference for what you are owed. Your embassy or consulate can also support you — keep whatever proof you have. Full step-by-step guide: UAE domestic worker law and your rights.