The UAE is clamping down on unlicenced recruitment agencies following investigations by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Since 2022 the MoHRE has referred 45 recruitment and domestic worker recruitment establishments for operating in the labour market without obtaining the necessary licenses.
The Ministry explained that among the violating establishments were four that were identified two weeks ago in Al Ain during an inspection campaign in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi – Al Ain branch.
UAE recruitment agency clampdown
An MoHRE statement said: “MoHRE has taken legal action against the four establishments, including referring them to the Public Prosecution and imposing administrative fines of AED50,000 ($13,600) on their owners.
“The establishments had been closed with the Department of Economic Development placing closure signs on their doors.
“Temporary accommodation has been provided for the domestic workers at the violating establishments, and procedures have been initiated to transfer them – upon their willingness – to MoHRE-approved domestic worker recruitment establishments”.
The Ministry has cautioned against dealing with unlicensed recruitment and domestic worker recruitment establishments in the UAE and urged the public to check its website and official channels to verify the authorised offices.
It called people in the UAE to report such illegal practices through its official channels or by contacting the call centre at 600 590 000.
The statement added: “The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation implements joint inspection campaigns, in collaboration with its partners, relying on proactive monitoring, reports from members of the community, and regular inspection visits to ensure that any recruitment activity is carried out exclusively by authorised domestic worker recruitment agencies.
“Field visits and joint inspection campaigns aim to enhance the regulation of the labour market; boost its productivity, competitiveness, and ease of doing business; and protect the rights of everyone involved.”
Follow us on
