Which UAE law protects domestic workers like maids, nannies and drivers?

Domestic workers in the UAE — including maids, nannies, cooks, gardeners, private drivers and similar household staff — are covered by a dedicated law separate from the general labour law. The governing framework is the Federal Decree-Law on Domestic Workers, administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). It sets out the standard employment contract, the employer's duties (accommodation, food and medical care unless otherwise agreed), rest and leave entitlements, and rules on recruitment through licensed offices (Tadbeer service centres). Because domestic workers fall under this specific decree rather than the mainland labour law that covers most private-sector employees, the obligations and dispute routes differ. Both the employer and the worker sign a unified contract registered with MOHRE. If a dispute arises, it is first raised with MOHRE, which mediates before any referral to court. For your specific situation, you can review your registered contract terms and compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who handle domestic-worker and household-employment matters.