7DAYS June 2, 2014
The new government-approved contract will help stop “double contracts” in which a worker signs one in their home country only to discover that he or she has to sign a contract for a lower salary when they land in the UAE.
The new contract will also guarantee one day off a week and 14 days paid leave.
The Ministry of Interior announced the new amended domestic worker contract went into effect yesterday after months of negotiations with embassies and lawyers.
Lawyer Michael Barney Almazar, of Gulf Law legal firm, welcomed the provision that only the contract signed by a maid in her home country will be considered valid.
“Most Filipina domestic helpers will execute an agreement in the Philippines with a certain salary only to find out that they need to execute another contract in UAE with lower pay,” Almazar said. “I believe this has been addressed by the new law since it will require the amount of compensation in UAE to be agreed upon prior to the helper’s entry to UAE.”
Almazar frequently holds free legal rights clinics at the Filipino embassy for low paid workers, so that they will know their rights.
The NationalSpecialised units have been established in the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs to receive complaints from domestic staff and to assist in resolving disputes.
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Workers can lodge complaints on a free hotline, 800 5005.
Domestic workers who are victims of violence and abuse will be provided protection, care and shelter. They are referred by the public prosecution to the interior ministry’s social support centres.
Domestic staff may also seek assistance from shelters provided by civil society groups, the ministry said. Foundations such as the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children and Ewa’a in Abu Dhabi provide rehabilitation and help for the victims.
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