An employer is not giving a domestic worker a day off. What to do?

Dear sir/madam,

I am a nanny here in Dubai. I am working for my local employer for almost 8 months now. My employer doesn't give me a day off.

They hold my passport and didn't give me a copy of my labor contract. Sometimes they make a story, which is not true, that I took something from them. Now, what step should I make?

I want to leave and find another job. They are threatening me that if I stop working with them, they will file a case against me and will deport me, and I will pay 15k for the cost of the visa and other employment documents.

Hope someone can advise me.

Thank you!

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Khaled Ebid

Laila Hamza Al Mulla Advocates and Legal Consultants

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14 Nov 2022, 12:33

Dear questioner,

Your right is to have one day of paid rest per week.

The daily rest of the worker shall not be less than twelve hours, provided that it is at least eight continuous hours and annual leave.

14 Nov 2022, 12:35

You can file a labor complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry, in turn, will try to consider and resolve the complaint within two weeks.

In the event that this is not possible, the matter will be referred to the competent court.

You pay nothing because domestic workers are exempt from all judicial fees and also to prove threats so that you can transfer sponsorship.

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