UAE shuts down 200 social media accounts over unlicensed domestic worker recruitment

Nearly two hundred social media accounts were recently shut down in the UAE for their involvement in unauthorized recruitment for domestic workers, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry, working alongside the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, announced the closures in the first half of 2026.

Authorities warned families to exercise caution when seeking domestic help, urging them to verify the legitimacy of job advertisements before making any payments. The unlawfully operating accounts advertised employment without the necessary permits and were not associated with licensed recruitment agencies, thereby violating UAE employment regulations.

The ministry employed various methods to uncover these illicit practices, including field inspection teams and electronic monitoring systems, with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Such proactive measures aim to safeguard both employers and families utilizing domestic worker services.

The ministry strongly advises individuals hiring domestic workers to utilize certified recruitment services. These services provide assurance that all contractual obligations are adhered to, thus protecting the rights and welfare of all parties involved. Licensed recruitment offices are required to supply clear contracts, approved pricing, and service packages, ensuring workers meet all legal requirements and procedures.

For those hiring domestic workers, families have the option to either engage a licensed recruitment agency or recruit directly without an intermediary. When utilizing a licensed recruitment office, the employer signs an agreement with the agency, thereby receiving the statutory guarantees under UAE's Domestic Workers Law. Conversely, direct recruitment, carried out under a ministry-approved undertaking, does not come with those legal assurances.

Employers must also sign a standard two-year employment contract outlining the worker's salary, job responsibilities, and working conditions. Additionally, employers must pay wages within ten days of their due date.

Under UAE labor laws, employers must provide stay-at-home domestic workers with suitable accommodation, meals, and work attire. Mandatory health insurance is also a requirement. Workers are entitled to keep their own identification documents, including passports and Emirates IDs. Working hours are limited to twelve hours per day, with at least twelve hours of daily rest, including an uninterrupted eight-hour break.

Domestic workers are granted one day off per week, with a minimum of thirty days of paid annual leave and a return air ticket home every two years. Any misleading practices or advertisements promoting unauthorized domestic worker services can be reported to the helpline number 600 590 000.