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Some domestic helpers or employers might bring up 'trial periods'. Here's what you must know
6 March 2024
| Last updated on 7 March 2024
Your guide to UAE domestic helpers and 'trial periods'.
If you're a domestic worker, or you are considering hiring home help in the UAE, you might wonder are maids allowed to do trial periods before getting hired.
The UAE has laws in place regarding the hiring of and the rights of domestic helpers, in order to protect the safety and welfare of both the maid and the employer.
A 'trial period', wherein a domestic helper is temporarily working for a family, might sound like a reasonable situation. After all, neither sides are familiar with each other yet - shouldn't a trial period give them the opportunity to understand if they are suited for the job? However, that's not the case.
It's important to follow the UAE law to avoid facing fines and other penalties. In this guide, we break down what is and isn't allowed when it comes to hiring a maid in the UAE.
Are domestic helpers allowed to do trial periods in the UAE?
No, domestic workers in the UAE are not allowed to do trial periods before being hired full-time.
Can I hire a part-time domestic helper in the UAE?
Outside of registered house help services in the UAE where you can hire domestic cleaners on a temporary basis, it is illegal to hire part-time housemaids. This includes domestic helpers who claim to have their "own visa", or married women seeking part-time jobs as a maid - either are not allowed.
As per UAE law, a maid can only be hired full-time on a live-in or live-out arrangement, with a formal work contract between the employer and the domestic helper. A domestic worker in the UAE is not allowed to work part-time while working full-time for her current employer.
How to legally hire part-time domestic cleaners in the UAE?
The only legal way to hire a part-time domestic helper in the UAE is through a licensed cleaning service company. You can make a booking and hire a cleaner on a part-time hourly basis.
