UAE authorities announced on Tuesday a new set of regulations which will apply on disputes that involve domestic workers, their employers, and recruitment companies.
These rules are outlined in a new federal decree law, which amends certain parts of the country’s domestic workers law.
As per this new policy, all domestic worker disputes shall be taken up at the Court of First Instance — instead of the Court of Appeal which will be a last resort. A case is brought to the court only if no amicable settlement is reached between with the Ministry Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre).
The main aim of these new rules is to accelerate the process of dispute resolution, which come in line with the changes to the larger labour law.
The ministry is authorized to resolve domestic worker disputes if the claim’s total amount does not exceed Dh50,000 or if the dispute fails to comply with previous decision issued by Mohre.
If a settlement is not made in the stipulated timeframe then the Mohre must refer the case to the Court of First Instance.
A lawsuit with the Court of First Instance within 15 working days of receiving notification to challenge the ministry’s decision by any party involved in the dispute.
The ruling of the Court of First Instance in this case is final, and filing a lawsuit will suspend the enforcement of the Ministry’s decision.
