The UAE has intensified its crackdown on illegal domestic worker recruitment services, shutting down 230 social media accounts in 2025 for operating without official licences.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirmed that the accounts were promoting domestic worker recruitment services without obtaining the required approvals. The closures were carried out in coordination with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Clear violations of domestic workers law
Authorities said investigations revealed that the account holders were neither licensed by the ministry nor affiliated with authorised recruitment agencies. This constitutes a direct breach of the UAE’s Domestic Workers Law, which strictly regulates recruitment and employment practices in the sector.
MoHRE stressed that it maintains robust field and digital monitoring systems to oversee recruitment activities. The aim is to protect the legal rights of employers, workers, and families while ensuring that services remain transparent, regulated, and competitive.
Joint government effort
The ministry commended TDRA’s cooperation in identifying and shutting down the illegal accounts, noting that coordinated action between federal entities strengthens enforcement and deters violations in the digital space.
Officials reiterated that unified regulatory efforts are essential in tackling misleading advertisements and unauthorised recruitment activity across social media platforms.
Warning to employers and families
MoHRE urged Emirati and resident families to deal only with licensed domestic worker recruitment offices. Employers are advised to verify agency credentials through the ministry’s official website and report suspicious or misleading promotions via the hotline 600590000.
The ministry warned that engaging with unlicensed recruiters may expose families to significant risks, including loss of legal protections and failure to comply with mandatory procedures such as medical screenings and background checks. Such lapses could pose serious safety concerns.
Strict penalties under UAE law
Under the Labour Relations Regulation Law, practising mediation or temporary employment of domestic workers without a licence is strictly prohibited. Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment for no less than one year and fines ranging from Dh200,000 to Dh1 million, or both.
The latest enforcement action reflects the UAE’s continued commitment to safeguarding households and maintaining strict compliance standards within the domestic worker recruitment sector.
