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UAE MoHRE Issues Five-Day Absence Reporting Directive for Domestic Workers

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued regulatory guidance requiring employers to report domestic worker absence within five days. Filings must be submitted through the official MoHRE smart application or website. The timeline is stricter than the seven-day period designated for commercial private sector workers.

Issuing authority
UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
October 15, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official source
gulfnews.com
Illustration: A modern government service counter in the United Arab Emirates with clean architectural lines, digital service kiosks, and ambient natu
Illustration

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issued regulatory guidance on October 15, 2026, outlining statutory reporting requirements for domestic staff.

Under the guidance, employers are required to file a formal 'Domestic Worker Absence from Work' complaint within five days if a worker leaves their role without notice or explanation. Submissions must be handled directly through MoHRE's official smart application or portal.

The ministry indicated that this five-day timeline is specific to domestic workers, making it stricter than the seven-day reporting rule applied to staff in the commercial private sector. The procedure aims to establish legal status and formal accountability for sponsored workers in the country.

Sources

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