UAE Domestic Worker Rights: 30 Days Leave, Wages in 10 Days and a Ticket Home Every 2 Years
UAE domestic workers are owed wages within 10 days, a paid rest day weekly, 30 days of leave and a ticket home every 2 years. See the 3 month deadline now.
Short answer: A domestic worker in the UAE is entitled to wages within 10 days of the due date, one paid rest day a week, at least 30 days of paid annual leave and a round-trip ticket home every 2 years. The employer must let the worker keep their own passport and ID documents.
A Pakistani family in Sharjah hires a cook. A Pakistani woman takes a housemaid job in Dubai through an agent. Both need to know what the contract must give. The UAE government has set the terms down, and they are easy to check.
We read the UAE government page on employing domestic workers on 12 October 2026. We did not test a complaint, because that needs a real contract. The figures below come from that page.
Wages are due within 10 days and there is one paid rest day a week
The page lists the worker's right to payment of wages, as set out in the standard contract, within 10 days from the due date. It also lists one day of paid rest per week. These are the first things a worker should check against what actually happens.
If the wage is late, the worker should keep a record of the date it was due and the date it arrived. A simple note in a phone is enough to start with. Written proof is what a complaint is built on.
Rest, annual leave, sick leave and the ticket home
The page sets out rest and leave in numbers. Workers receive 12 hours of rest per day, including at least 8 consecutive hours. Paid annual leave is no less than 30 days. Sick leave is no more than 30 days per year. A round-trip ticket home comes every 2 years.
| Right | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Wages | Paid within 10 days from the due date |
| Weekly rest | One paid rest day per week |
| Daily rest | 12 hours, including at least 8 consecutive hours |
| Annual leave | Paid, no less than 30 days |
| Sick leave | No more than 30 days per year |
| Ticket home | Round trip, every 2 years |
The page does not state a minimum wage for domestic workers, and we did not find one on the pages we read. The wage is whatever the standard contract says, so read the contract before you sign it.
The worker keeps their own passport and ID documents
The page says employers must ensure the worker's right to keep their own identification documents. For a Pakistani worker, that means the passport and other ID documents stay with them, not with the employer.
The contract has its own list of terms. The page says it must include names, workplace, start date, job type, duration, salary, payment method, leaves, probation period, rest periods and termination conditions. If any of these is blank, ask for it to be filled in before you start.
The worker's insurance is also set by the UAE government. The premium for a domestic worker is AED 105, and the scheme is explained in our guide to the UAE worker insurance that pays up to AED 20,000.
For a family that employs a helper, the same list works as a checklist. Put the wage date, the rest day and the leave days in the written contract, and keep a signed copy for each side. A clear contract protects the employer as much as the worker, because it settles later arguments about what was agreed.
A complaint goes to the ministry, and the deadline is three months
The page says either party may submit a labour complaint to the ministry, which will try to resolve it amicably within two weeks. Cases are expedited, and domestic workers are exempt from litigation fees. It also says claims are inadmissible after three months from the date the employment ends.
That three month deadline is the number to remember. A worker who has gone home and waits half a year may lose the right to claim. If you are already back in Pakistan, recovering unpaid dues from abroad through OPF is free.
- Keep the contract, any messages and a note of the wage due dates.
- Raise the problem with the employer in writing if it is safe to do so.
- Submit a labour complaint to the ministry, MoHRE.
- Expect the ministry to try to settle it within two weeks.
- File before three months pass from the end of the job.
- Call your embassy or consulate if you are in danger or cannot leave.
The general complaint route for private sector workers is in our MOHRE labour complaint steps. A domestic worker in trouble can also find Foreign Office and embassy numbers on a single page.
Common questions
How many days of annual leave does a UAE domestic worker get?
Paid annual leave of no less than 30 days, according to the UAE government page.
Can my employer keep my passport?
The page says employers must ensure the worker's right to keep their own identification documents.
How soon must wages be paid?
Within 10 days from the due date, as set out in the standard contract.
Do domestic workers get a ticket home?
Yes. The page lists a round-trip ticket home every 2 years.
Do domestic workers pay a fee to complain?
No. The page says domestic workers are exempt from litigation fees, and that cases are expedited.
How long do I have to claim after the job ends?
Three months from the date of termination of employment. After that, the page says claims are inadmissible.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read the UAE government page on employing domestic workers on 12 October 2026. It does not state a minimum wage or notice period, and we could not verify either. Read the standard contract and confirm with MoHRE before you act.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
