Dubai Police have warned families not to hire housemaids who have absconded from their employers.
Col Ali Salem, director of the Department of Infiltrators at Dubai Police, said 17 maids of different nationalities who left their sponsors without giving notice were arrested in the first week of Ramadan.
He urged householders to report domestic staff who have absconded to the authorities.
Col Salem said maids who abscond often start working with other families using fake names and without legal documents.
“Runaway maids can pose a security risk to society and those dealing with them,” he said.
Instead of running away, domestic workers are urged to report abuse by reaching out to the police via its website, smart services or by calling 901.
They can also visit the nearest police station, or send an email to mail@dubaipolice.gov.ae.
Complaints will be handled by the Department of Rights and Freedom Protection in the General Department of Human Rights at Dubai Police, the officer said.