Domestic workers in the UAE — maids, nannies, cooks, drivers, and similar household roles — are entitled to an end-of-service benefit when their employment ends. But they are covered by a different law from office and company staff, and the gratuity is calculated differently. This guide explains the rules under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, how the benefit is worked out, and where to confirm the official figure.
Which law covers domestic workers
The most common point of confusion is which law applies. Private-sector employees are covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, and their gratuity uses the 21-day and 30-day formula explained in our gratuity in UAE guide. Domestic workers are not covered by that law.
Instead, they fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers, which took effect on 15 December 2022 and replaced the earlier Federal Law No. 10 of 2017. This is a separate framework with its own rules on contracts, leave, rest, and end-of-service. So the general UAE gratuity calculator on our homepage, which is built for private-sector staff, does not apply to a maid or nanny — the figures come out differently.
Who counts as a domestic worker
The law defines domestic work by a list of household job categories. It covers, among others:
- Housemaids and housekeepers
- Nannies and babysitters
- Cooks
- Private drivers
- Gardeners
- Private security guards and watchmen
- Private tutors, nurses, and caregivers
If a worker is employed by a household under a domestic-worker contract issued through a Tadbeer service centre, the domestic workers law applies — not the main Labour Law. A worker employed by a company for the same task on a standard MOHRE contract would instead fall under Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
End-of-service: the 14-day rule
A domestic worker is entitled to an end-of-service benefit, generally after completing one full year of continuous service, with any additional part-year paid pro rata. In practice, the benefit is calculated at 14 days of pay for each year of service, applied as a flat rate across the whole period rather than the tiered 21/30-day bands used for private-sector employees.
One honest caveat: the 2022 law is lighter on the exact multiplier than the main Labour Law, and it delegates the detail to its executive regulations (Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022). The 14-day figure is the rate carried over from the previous domestic-workers law and used in everyday practice and by the official MOHRE calculator. For any real settlement, treat the MOHRE figure as authoritative rather than a manual estimate.
Private-sector staff: 21 days per year for the first five years, then 30 days. Domestic workers: a flat 14 days per year. Same country, different laws.
How to calculate it
The manual method is straightforward:
- Find the daily wage: monthly wage ÷ 30.
- Multiply the daily wage by 14 to get one year's benefit.
- Multiply by the number of years of service (pro-rating any part-year).
This is an estimate for planning only. Deductions, unpaid days, or a contract breach can change the payable amount, which is why the official tool matters.
The official MOHRE calculator
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) provides an official Domestic Worker Calculator that is the authoritative way to check the figure. On the MOHRE website, open the Services menu and select the Domestic Worker Calculator. It factors in the basic and net wage, the working period, the reason the contract ended, any unused annual leave, weekend overtime, and work injuries.
Because it reflects the current official position, use the MOHRE calculator to confirm the number before agreeing a settlement, and keep the contract and wage records that support it.
Other entitlements
End-of-service is only one part of a domestic worker's rights under Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. The law also provides:
- Annual leave: 30 days of paid leave per year.
- Weekly rest: one paid rest day each week.
- Daily rest: at least 12 hours of rest per day, including 8 consecutive hours.
- Sick leave: up to 30 days per contract year, on the terms set by the law and regulations.
- Wage protection: wages paid on time and in full, with the contract wage as the basis.
Untaken annual leave is normally settled in cash when the contract ends, in addition to the end-of-service benefit.
When it must be paid
Under Article 19 of the domestic workers law, the employer must pay the worker's dues within 10 days of the contract ending, provided the worker did not breach the contract. This is a tighter window than the 14-day rule for private-sector settlements, so both sides should prepare the final figures before the last day of work.
If the employer does not pay
If an end-of-service benefit or other dues are withheld, a domestic worker can raise the issue with MOHRE. Complaints and mediation for domestic workers run through MOHRE and the Tadbeer service centres, and MOHRE's call centre (600 590 000) can direct a worker to the right channel. Keep the employment contract, wage receipts, and any leave records, as documentary evidence carries the most weight in a dispute. The approach mirrors the steps in our guide on what to do if an employer does not pay gratuity.
Frequently asked questions
Do domestic workers get gratuity in the UAE?
Yes. Maids, nannies, cooks, drivers, and similar household workers are entitled to an end-of-service benefit under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, a separate law from the one covering private-sector employees.
How is domestic worker gratuity calculated?
In practice it is 14 days of pay for each year of service, based on the worker's wage. The MOHRE Domestic Worker Calculator gives the authoritative figure.
Is it the same as the 21/30-day rule?
No. The 21-day and 30-day bands apply to private-sector employees under Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Domestic workers under Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 use a flat 14 days per year.
When must the end-of-service be paid?
Within 10 days of the contract ending, under Article 19, provided the worker did not breach the contract.
How much annual leave does a domestic worker get?
30 days of paid annual leave per year, plus one weekly rest day, at least 12 hours of daily rest including 8 consecutive hours, and up to 30 days of sick leave per contract year.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal advice. It references Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers as at the date of publication. The exact end-of-service figure can be affected by ministerial decisions and individual contract terms — always confirm with the official MOHRE Domestic Worker Calculator or a qualified advisor.