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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation requires employers to submit a report as soon as they realise a domestic worker has left without notice and cannot be contacted or located. This Domestic Worker Absence from Work complaint must reach the ministry through approved channels no later than five days after the absence begins, Gulf News reported on October 15, 2026. The procedure helps clarify the worker’s immigration and employment status while protecting the rights of both parties. Employers who delay filing may encounter complications when seeking to resolve the contract or update official records.
Employers can lodge the report either on the official MoHRE website or through the MOHRE UAE mobile application. The process begins in the domestic worker services section where users select the specific absence-from-work option, enter all required personal and contract details and submit the completed form. Ministry guidance stresses the need for accurate information to speed up processing and avoid returns. Additional support is available by dialling the customer service centre on 600590000 or by reviewing step-by-step instructions published on the ministry’s portal.
The UAE government portal identifies 19 distinct occupations that fall under the domestic worker category, from housemaids and nannies to cooks, gardeners and personal drivers. MoHRE data places the number of licensed domestic worker recruitment centres currently operating across the country at 136. In the first half of 2026 authorities closed nearly 200 social media accounts that offered unlicensed recruitment services, an increase from 77 closures recorded in the same period of 2025.
These enforcement measures form part of ongoing regulatory activity that also saw 300 violations recorded against 57 recruitment offices in 2025, according to ministry figures. Officials referred multiple unlicensed operations to the Public Prosecution while fining others for failing to meet refund deadlines. The actions underscore the ministry’s focus on channelling all domestic worker hiring through authorised providers.
Domestic workers are entitled to receive wages within 10 days of the due date, one paid rest day each week and a minimum 12-hour daily rest period that includes at least eight consecutive hours, the official UAE government portal states. These protections appear in the federal legislation that governs the sector and aim to ensure balanced working conditions. Employers must maintain compliance with these standards throughout the contract term.
The ministry continues to urge households to consult its official resources before and during employment relationships to reduce the likelihood of disputes. Clear communication about duties, rest periods and payment schedules often prevents absences that later require formal reporting. Timely adherence to the five-day rule remains essential when unexplained absences do occur.
