The UAE authorities closed 12 illegal recruitment offices and monitored 300 sectoral violations in 2025.
The UAE closed 12 offices accused of recruiting domestic workers without a license. The measure was announced on Wednesday, February 25. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said that the cases have been referred to the Public Prosecution in coordination with economic development departments throughout the country.The ministry said the offices were operating illegally. It also revealed that 300 violations were recorded this year, including 57 offices licensed to recruit domestic workers. The figures relate to 2025 and form part of a wider enforcement campaign.Officials said they would not tolerate legal or administrative violations. They confirmed that field inspection teams and smart monitoring systems are in place to detect violations.
Actions will be taken firmly and transparently in line with the law.There are 136 licensed employment centers operating nationwide. The authorities urged customers to deal only with approved offices. The public has been asked to report negative practices through official digital channels or by calling 80084. Customers can also call 600590000 to verify the credibility of agencies advertising on social media.Earlier this month, authorities said that 230 social media accounts would be closed during 2025 for promoting unlicensed domestic worker recruitment services. Investigations revealed that the account holders did not obtain the required licenses and were not connected to approved employment centers. Officials warned that such practices violate the Domestic Workers Law and could lead to legal consequences. Employers who deal with unlicensed service providers also face risks.The recruitment of domestic workers in the UAE is regulated under specific legal frameworks aimed at protecting workers and employers. Authorities conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance across the sector.
