What is Gratuity for Housemaids and Domestic Workers UAE
The Domestic Worker’s Law in the United Arab Emirates clearly mentions the rights of housemaids, nannies, and other domestic helpers. Throughout their job tenure, workers are entitled to various legal provisions, such as medical insurance, a mandatory one day off per week, 12 hours of daily rest, medical leave, and specific allowances. However, when their labor contract expires, these workers are entitled to receive end-of-service benefits as per the UAE Labor Law. In the following discussion, we will explore what’s the eligibility criteria and how to calculate gratuity for housemaids and domestic workers in UAE 2024.
Check out the Gratuity Calculator for UAE Employees.
Who is a Domestic Worker? A Comprehensive List of Professions
A domestic worker is an individual employed to assist in the smooth running of a private household. Typically, domestic helpers are assigned a variety of household tasks, including cleaning, gardening, cooking, and laundry, as well as caring for babies and elderly individuals.
The level of service provided by the helper can be either full-time or part-time, depending on the specific requirements of the family. Let’s take a closer look at the wide range of professions that fall under this category:
- Housemaids
- Security Guard
- Trainer
- Babysitter/Nanny
- Nurse
- Tutor
- Driver
- Private Coach
- Gardener
- Household Shepherd
- Falcon Care Taker
Gratuity Entitlement as per UAE Domestic Worker Law: Complete Guide
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the following laws will be followed to calculate the gratuity amount for domestic workers in UAE in 2024.
Article 26
As per Article 26 of UAE Federal Law, 2017, the worker is entitled to receive gratuity payment on completing at least one year of continuous service. The gratuity will be calculated based on 14 days of wage per year, excluding the days of absence from work without pay. The amount will be paid to the employee at the end of his employment contract; however, payment will be recalculated upon renewal of the contract.
Article 27
The worker will be deprived of end-of-service gratuity if he resigns from a job before completing the contract or if his employer terminates him for finding him involved in any unlawful practice.
As per MoHRE, if the worker resigns from a job, he will compensate the employer by paying one month’s salary to his employer. Similarly, if the employer terminates his worker, he must give an additional one month’s salary as well as a gratuity to the worker as compensation.
Moreover, the employer would also provide a return ticket to the worker to go back to his homeland.
Read What is gratuity in salary.
Article 28
As per Article 28 of Domestic Workers Law in UAE, if the worker is arrested or found involved in some criminal acts, he will neither get the salary for that particular period nor will he receive end-of-service compensation.
Check these top reasons for the Employer to Deny Gratuity to his workers.
How to Calculate Gratuity for Housemaids and Domestic Workers? Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit the official website of MoHRE at https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/home.aspx
- Click on the ‘Services’ tab and select ‘Domestic Worker Calculator.’
- Enter the required information, such as the start and end date of your employment contract, as well as basic and net salary.
- Select the reason for leaving your job, i,e., either you resigned or the employer terminated your contract.
- Enter your salary, annual leave salary, weekend allowance, and work injury disability percentage.
- Total Allowances as domestic helpers’ or housemaids’ gratuity will be displayed on your screen in AED. You can download the file or take its printout to save the record.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, the above comprehensive guide will help you calculate gratuity for housemaids and domestic workers in the UAE. However, if you encounter any issues while calculating your end-of-service benefits, you can contact us for assistance.