Domestic workers are not covered by the main Labour Law. They have their own law, with a different end of service calculation from the one used on our main calculator.
Who is a domestic worker
The domestic workers law covers people employed by a household, including housemaids, nannies, cooks, private drivers, gardeners, family guards and private tutors or nurses working in the home.
How the gratuity is worked out
A domestic worker who has completed at least one year of continuous service is entitled to an end of service payment based on 14 days of wage for each year of service.
Rules for domestic workers are updated from time to time. Confirm the current entitlement with MOHRE or the recruitment centre that handled the contract before relying on a figure.
Example
A nanny earns AED 2,000 a month and finishes after four years.
- Daily wage: 2,000 ÷ 30 = AED 66.67
- 14 days of wage: AED 933.33 for each year
- Gratuity for four years: AED 3,733
What else a domestic worker is owed
- Wages up to the last day worked
- Payment for annual leave earned but not taken
- A ticket home at the end of the contract, in the cases set out in the law
Why our main calculator gives a different figure
The gratuity calculator uses the 21-day and 30-day scale for private sector employees. For a domestic worker it will overstate the amount, so use the formula on this page instead.
Help with a dispute
Domestic workers and employers can raise a complaint with MOHRE, which handles domestic worker disputes and tries to settle them before any court referral.
Frequently asked questions
Does a housemaid get gratuity in the UAE?
Yes, after at least one year of continuous service with the employer.
Is a private driver a domestic worker?
A driver employed by a household is a domestic worker. A driver employed by a company is covered by the main Labour Law.