The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has specified four clear situations where employers are entitled to a refund of recruitment fees paid for hiring domestic workers. The ministry has also taken action against 36 recruitment agencies for violations of the Domestic Workers Law in the first two months of 2025.

 

When Can Employers Claim a Refund?

According to MOHRE, employers qualify for a recruitment fee refund under the following conditions:

1. The domestic worker is found to be incompetent or professionally unsuitable during the probation period.
2. The worker abandons the job or terminates the contract without a valid reason.
3. The employer ends the contract due to the recruitment agency’s failure to meet agreed conditions.
4. The worker is found medically unfit during the probation period. In such cases, agencies must also reimburse any government fees paid by the employer.

Recruitment agencies are required to process these refunds within two weeks of the worker’s return or after the worker’s absence is reported. Failure to do so will result in legal and administrative action.

 

Penalties for Non-Compliance

In its Labour Market magazine, MOHRE reported that:

• 22 agencies were penalised in February 2025 for 37 violations.

• 14 agencies faced action in January 2025 for 22 infractions.

The most common violations included:

• Failure to refund recruitment fees within the mandated two-week period.

• Failure to report worker absence.

The ministry has stressed that non-compliance will lead to strict action, including possible license revocation for serious breaches.

 

Zero-Tolerance Policy and Strict Monitoring

MOHRE reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards violations of the Domestic Workers Law. Agencies engaging in misconduct face the risk of:

• License suspension or cancellation

• Legal prosecution

• Administrative penalties

The ministry affirmed its commitment to monitoring recruitment agencies to protect the rights of employers and domestic workers and to ensure agencies deliver services in line with UAE labour laws.

 

Employer Advisory

MOHRE advised employers to:

• Report violations through its digital platforms or by calling the Legal Consultation Center at 80084.

• Avoid engaging with unlicensed agencies or unreliable social media advertisements, which may jeopardise their legal rights.

A complete list of licensed domestic worker recruitment agencies in the UAE is available at www.mohre.gov.ae.

 

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