Dubai Police warn against hiring absconding domestic workers

Officers say they arrested 948 domestic workers in the first three months of this year

Dubai Police have urged families not to hire domestic staff illegally, and that maids should report any ill-treatment by the employers. Photo: Dubai Police.

Dubai Police have urged families not to hire housemaids who have absconded from their employers.

Officer said they arrested 948 domestic workers of different nationalities in the first three months of this year.

The force said the arrests were made to enforce labour laws.

Some maids leave their employers without notice and begin work with other families under fake names and without legal documents.

“To help maintain the security of the community, people are urged to report absconding domestic workers,” said Col Ali Salem, director of Anti-Infiltrators Department at Dubai Police.

“During Ramadan, the number of maids who break labour laws and abscond from their sponsors to work on an hourly basis to make more money in a short period of time increases,” he said.

“Runaway maids can pose a security risk as they usually work under fake names and without legal documents so we intensify efforts during the holy month. ”

He urged the public to avoid hiring such people.

Domestic workers were advised to report abuse by contacting the Dubai Police website, smart services, or by calling 901.

They can also visit the nearest police station or send an email to [e-mail].

Complaints will be handled by the Department of Rights and Freedom Protection in the General Department of Human Rights at Dubai Police.