Guide

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RTA Finally Confirms Launch Date of Dubai's Flying Taxis

UAE Visa Amnesty Explained: What Is It and How to Apply For It

Booking Taxis in Dubai: How to Hail a Taxi Through WhatsApp

First-Ever Baseball Park in the Middle East Will Be Opening in the UAE

Smash Rooms in the UAE: Best Places to Go and Vent Out

Are "Own Visa" and Freelancer Visa Domestic Workers Legal in the UAE?

Where to See Animals in the Wild in the UAE

UAE Residents Be Wary of Food Delivery Scams

Dubai's Best Ladies Nights That Doesn't Involve Clubbing or Alcohol

Classifieds

Jobs

Dubai Announces Pilot Launch of 4-Day Work Week For Employees

UAE Job Loss Insurance Claim Rejected? Here's Why It Could Happen

How to Claim UAE Job Loss Insurance: Eligibility and Step-by-Step Guide

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

Can I Get Fired in the UAE For My Mental Health Condition?

Dubai Dedicates AED 150 Million Government Support Fund For Influencers

How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in the UAE

Reduced Ramadan Work Hours Confirmed for UAE Private Sector Workers

The UAE's New End-of-Service Programme, Explained for Residents

Events

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 2024: Will the UAE Get a Public Holiday?

Auditions Are Now Open for the Biggest Battle of the Bands in Dubai

These Are the UAE-Based Female Athletes Playing at the Paris Olympics

A Guide To the UAE's Union Pledge Day: What Is It and When Is It Celebrated?

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2024: Confirmed and Expected Dates

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025: Announced and Expected Dates

Will There Be a UAE Public Holiday for the Islamic New Year?

DAZ Festival Takes Over Al Ain Zoo for 10 Days of Family Fun

9-Day Eid Public Holiday Announced for UAE Public Sector

Education

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How to Make the Transition to University Life Easier

What Are the Benefits of Academic Scholarships in Dubai?

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How to Get Your University and College Degrees Attested in the UAE

UAE Students Cheating Can Risk a Fine of Up to AED 200,000

The Learning Garden at South View School: Cultivating Curiosity and Joy in Early Education

Why is the Early Years Stage Important for Children's Development?

Money

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

UAE Residents Be Wary of Food Delivery Scams

5 Signs You've Been Scammed Over the Phone, and What to Do Next

UAE Job Loss Insurance Claim Rejected? Here's Why It Could Happen

Minimum AED 5,000 Fine for Smoking Near Children in the UAE

Are Family Members Required to Pay Their Relative's UAE Debt?

How to Anonymously Report Illegal Activities in Dubai Through Al Ameen

Being a Dubai Housewife: The Rights of Stay-At-Home Wives in the UAE

Home

Are "Own Visa" and Freelancer Visa Domestic Workers Legal in the UAE?

Hiring a Maid in the UAE: 5 Legal Red Flags

Ask a UAE Flower Shop: Your Most Common Questions, Answered

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Carrefour's 'Choose Better' Programme is Here to Reward Healthier Choices With 10x the Points

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Pet Breeding in the UAE: Is it Allowed and Where to Find Legal Pet Breeders

Choithrams Announces Launch of All-Women Operated Store in the UAE

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Car

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UAE Petrol Prices Will Increase in August 2024

Head's Up! Dubai Taxi Fares Will Increase in May 2024

UAE Announces New Fuel Prices For May 2024

Missing UAE License Plates: How to Report a Lost Plate or Reclaim Yours

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A Guide to Driving in Foggy Weather in the UAE

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Wellness

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Say Goodbye to Wrinkles With Mediclinic's Botox Mondays Offer

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Shop

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An A-Z Guide to Dubai's Popular Malls

What To Wear At The Beach In Dubai

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Cityland Mall Preview: Dubai's New Nature-Inspired Shopping Mall

EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Maid asking to get her documents?

85

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 02:32

Hi ladies,
I hired my maid few months back and her documents are with me (passport/resident identity card/domestic worker card).
She is asking me for her ID card.
Should I give it to her? Or should I just give the worker card or both or none of them?!
Thanks a lot for your advise

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391

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 24 July 2016 - 08:49

On the side of the law?? "On 25th Dec 2002, the Ministry of Interior issued a circular notifying all residents of the UAE that retention of the passports of the employees by the employers is considered to be illegal and is punishable by law. Further, UAE has ratified the convention against forced labour of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) which is also against the retention of passports as it is considered to be a form of forced labour. According to the ILO all workers have the freedom and right to enter into and leave their employment without any coercion against the same i.e. there should be no threat of being penalized for doing the same. By retaining the passport, the position of the PG 2 employee becomes vulnerable and is thus coerced to work for the employer even against his wishes and thus retention of passport may be used as a method of inducing forced labour which according to the Article 34 of constitution is not allowed and thus unconstitutional." A quick google brings these and LOTS more. http://www.guide2dubai.com/living/laws-and-regulations/passport-retention-rules http://www.thenational.ae/business/personal-finance/uae-employers-not-allowed-to-keep-in-custody-passport-of-workers http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/what-to-do-when-employer-insists-on-retaining-passport-2015-10-27-1.608248

311

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 July 2016 - 16:40

I know this is controversial. Staff should have their ID on them. Passport is private property and should be treated as such. Here is the challenge. When you have hired someone who has access to something precious, could be home, children, valuables, IDs, passports, list is endless. If they choose to exit the country, you can't do nothing. Go & report to the police. If the person is still in the country, you can have some hope. If they have left the country, you have not much to expect. Because this country is not homeland for most people, it is normal to expect that they can't be traced, easily. Would I give my kid his passport to keep? No. Why? Not mature enough, right. Likewise most domestic or labor class person, is exposed to very little of consequences and logical thinking / planning. In burst of emotion, you would like the consequences to be minimal, won't you? They make mistakes only to learn from them later. Now the other side to the issue. When a domestic worker absconds, you are still the sponsor. You need to PAY to file a report. You need to PAY to find out of they have left the country. I am on side of the Law and know these challenges exit too. You are NOT just classifying more than half of this country's workforce as stupid are you? I find that very short-sighted and insulting. The law is the law, not matter how challenging you may find it, you are not allowed to keep your maid's passport. The fact that some abscond is no justification. Remember all the expats that absconded during the crises, leaving behind their debts, apartments, cars etc. I bet their sponsors also would've also preferred to have kept their passports. How were they different from "domestic or labour class persons"? I said it is controversial. No, I am not classifying half the population of this country so don't mislead. Half population is not domestic help or labor. If this was so, how roads of the city are jam packed , at anytime of the day whilst domestic help or labor are not on the roads, right? There are 1.4 million cars in Dubai alone as of 2015. https://www.google.ae/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=number+of+cars+in+Dubai Those is crisis could flee country only if they had passports on them and escaped their liability, as per the law? If you read again, I stated I am on side of Law to be followed. Did you miss that? I put forward some of the challenges that I have seen people coming across and learning. I have experienced a free zone in this country, retaining passports of employees in the free zone, unless company submits a letter that they will hold them instead. Did you know? Life is not in Black or White. Its lot more in the grays.

2287

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 July 2016 - 15:18

I know this is controversial. Staff should have their ID on them. Passport is private property and should be treated as such. Here is the challenge. When you have hired someone who has access to something precious, could be home, children, valuables, IDs, passports, list is endless. If they choose to exit the country, you can't do nothing. Go & report to the police. If the person is still in the country, you can have some hope. If they have left the country, you have not much to expect. Because this country is not homeland for most people, it is normal to expect that they can't be traced, easily. Would I give my kid his passport to keep? No. Why? Not mature enough, right. Likewise most domestic or labor class person, is exposed to very little of consequences and logical thinking / planning. In burst of emotion, you would like the consequences to be minimal, won't you? They make mistakes only to learn from them later. Now the other side to the issue. When a domestic worker absconds, you are still the sponsor. You need to PAY to file a report. You need to PAY to find out of they have left the country. I am on side of the Law and know these challenges exit too. You are NOT just classifying more than half of this country's workforce as stupid are you? I find that very short-sighted and insulting. The law is the law, not matter how challenging you may find it, you are not allowed to keep your maid's passport. The fact that some abscond is no justification. Remember all the expats that absconded during the crises, leaving behind their debts, apartments, cars etc. I bet their sponsors also would've also preferred to have kept their passports. How were they different from "domestic or labour class persons"?

311

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 July 2016 - 12:26

I know this is controversial. Staff should have their ID on them. Passport is private property and should be treated as such. Here is the challenge. When you have hired someone who has access to something precious, could be home, children, valuables, IDs, passports, list is endless. If they choose to exit the country, you can't do nothing. Go & report to the police. If the person is still in the country, you can have some hope. If they have left the country, you have not much to expect. Because this country is not homeland for most people, it is normal to expect that they can't be traced, easily. Would I give my kid his passport to keep? No. Why? Not mature enough, right. Likewise most domestic or labor class person, is exposed to very little of consequences and logical thinking / planning. In burst of emotion, you would like the consequences to be minimal, won't you? They make mistakes only to learn from them later. Now the other side to the issue. When a domestic worker absconds, you are still the sponsor. You need to PAY to file a report. You need to PAY to find out of they have left the country. I am on side of the Law and know these challenges exit too.

154

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2016 - 06:04

Hi ladies, I hired my maid few months back and her documents are with me (passport/resident identity card/domestic worker card). She is asking me for her ID card. Should I give it to her? Or should I just give the worker card or both or none of them?! Thanks a lot for your advise I am surprised by this post. You have more than 100 posts. You must know it is illegal to hold her documents / passport. If you claim that you are holding them because she asked you to then your post makes no sense. Give them to her.

767

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 July 2016 - 00:00

Thanks a lot ladies for responses. I'll give her the docs except the passport ? Thats up to you, but if the maid decides to report your for holding her passport, you face a hefty fine as it's illegal to hold anyone's passport in Dubai.

356

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 21 July 2016 - 14:20

Hi ladies, I hired my maid few months back and her documents are with me (passport/resident identity card/domestic worker card). She is asking me for her ID card. Should I give it to her? Or should I just give the worker card or both or none of them?! Thanks a lot for your advise All people should be entitled to get their documents...i dont think its fair for employers to keep these things, they employees not prisoners. i trust my maid and cause there is trust there i dont think she would cause me any bother

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 July 2016 - 07:42

Didn't you just read the responses that it's illegal for you to hold her passport?! One of the things I honestly hate about Dubai is that people think they are more entitled then the less fortunate. It is absolutely not acceptable to hold someone's passport as an employer - the passport is technically owned by the country that issue it. That is a crime and highly illegal. Take photocopies by all means but not to withhold. It honestly makes me so angry that domestic employees endure enough, on a relatively low salary, to what we earn let alone have their passports and other documents removed from them out here - just per chance 'that they may abscond'. Well said Itsaflyflyworld.

Itsaflyflyworld

3

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 23:05

Didn't you just read the responses that it's illegal for you to hold her passport?! One of the things I honestly hate about Dubai is that people think they are more entitled then the less fortunate.

85

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 17:13

Thanks a lot ladies for responses. I'll give her the docs except the passport ?

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 15:23

It's illegal for you to keep all her documents, definitely her Emirates ID card - this has been reiterated by the authorities in the press today. NO ONE is allowed to take anyone's EID.

2287

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 14:01

It's illegal to keep an employee's passport or EID, the law for domestic servants is no different in that aspect. Besides, Hhe needs to be able to identify herself with her EID. So give it to her.

199

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 10:23

I thought it was illegal for an employer to hold an employee's passport. Perhaps this does not apply to domestic staff.

59

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 09:08

Definitely give her the Emirates ID card. We're meant to carry it at all times - that's the point of it.

18

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 July 2016 - 07:09

Give it to her. She can't even sign up on a phone contract without her ID. If you are worried about her doing a runner, you still have her passport. As well, she needs some sort of identification if stopped by CID and you have every piece of it.

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