Up to Dhs200,000 fine for employing illegal workers

Abdulrahman Saeed, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has clarified that it is against UAE law to hire workers who have violated UAE labour laws.

It further points out that an employer can not hire such workers even if it is for the purpose of probation to change their status, as any employer who does this, will be slapped a fine of Dhs50,000 and not more than Dhs200,000.

MOHRE also said that the employer must not deduce from the salary of the domestic worker in case he commits a mistake due to violating the instructions, which harms the employer through the loss or destruction of tools, machines, products, or materials or anything that was in the custody of the worker or at his disposal.

In this case the employer can deduce not more than a quarter of the wage, which would be enough to compensate for the damage, as estimated by MOHRE but with the approval of the worker, or with the approval of MOHRE in case the worker does not agree.

MOHRE also indicated that if neither party agreed to what the ministry decided, the dispute would be referred to court, and a verdict would be issued to cut a quarter or less of the worker’s wage, which would be enough to settle the debts.