UAE Fines 42 Domestic Worker Recruitment Agencies for Rule Violations

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) imposed 135 penalties on 42 domestic‑worker recruitment offices for breaches identified during the first half of 2026. The majority of violations involved failure to refund employers’ recruitment fees within the mandated two‑week period, accounting for 106 recorded cases. An additional 29 infractions were linked to offices not adhering to approved recruitment procedures.

MoHRE emphasized that offices must return fees promptly after a worker is returned or absent, and warned residents to use only licensed agencies listed on official channels. The ministry noted that there are currently 138 licensed domestic‑worker recruitment offices in the UAE and pledged continued inspections to enforce compliance.