The UAE has established a clear minimum age for anyone seeking employment as a domestic worker in the country, as part of a larger legal framework intended to safeguard workers in that industry.
According to a statement posted on the official UAE government website, Federal Decree Law No. 21 of 2023 alters Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022, which oversees the recruitment and employment of domestic workers throughout the country.
The amended statute covers employers’ and employees’ rights and duties, as well as a number of specific prohibitions.
UAE Domestic Worker Law
One of the most obvious constraints in the statute is age. The law prohibits businesses from recruiting anyone under the age of 18 as a domestic helper.
This means that no household in the UAE can lawfully hire or recruit a domestic helper who has not reached that age.
Beyond the age restriction, the law is regarded as a measure that balances the responsibilities of both parties, protects their rights, and ensures a good working environment.
The UAE stated that the legislation is consistent with both national law and the international accords that the country has ratified.
Domestic Workers in the UAE The rule extends widely to anyone working in a domestic capacity within a UAE house, including recruitment and direct employment.
The law’s wording shows that the UAE is attempting to harmonize its domestic labor laws with globally recognized rights, notably those relating to child labor.
For potential domestic workers and the agencies that place them, the age of 18 represents a hard legal baseline that neither party may waive.
