UAE Cracks Down on Unlicensed Worker Recruitment

Hiring Household Workers Without Permits: UAE Shuts 230 Social Accounts in 2025

The United Arab Emirates is taking decisive steps to regulate the recruitment of household workers and protect both employers and employees from the risks associated with illegal brokerage activities. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) shut down a total of 230 social media accounts during 2025 that advertised or conducted unauthorized household labor recruitment. This decision plays an increasingly important role in social security, legal compliance, and consumer protection.

Why is unauthorized recruitment dangerous?

Such activities not only violate regulations but also pose significant risks to employers and their families. The ministry emphasized that those who engage with unauthorized brokers assume risks such as the loss of legal protection, lack of health checks and background screenings, and potential impacts on family security.

In some cases, brokers do not perform mandatory background checks, resulting in households hiring workers who may lack proper qualifications or have problematic pasts. This is particularly concerning when workers come into direct contact with vulnerable groups like the elderly or children during their employment.

The goal of regulation: secure and controlled labor recruitment

Officially authorized household labor recruitment offices operating in the UAE are subject to strict regulations. These offices offer clearly defined service packages that include thorough training for workers, health examinations, and adherence to the legal framework between employers and employees.

Authorized offices can only be run by companies holding a license issued by MoHRE, complying with the relevant service standards, pricing regulations, and ethical norms. This guarantees that employers receive workers who are well-prepared, medically fit, and are safely integrated into household routines.

Social media as a recruitment platform: opportunity or danger?

While social media offers a convenient and quick way to disseminate information, unsupervised recruitment here is particularly problematic. The majority of the 230 accounts blocked in 2025 operated on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, often using misleading advertisements to entice employers.

Many believed they were engaging a reliable service, while in reality, they were dealing with recruiters operating in a grey or even black zone. In such cases, the ministry cannot provide legal support to the employer if issues arise with the worker later.

What can employers do?

MoHRE has provided clear guidance: always utilize licensed recruitment agencies when hiring a household employee. The list of licensed agencies is available on the ministry's official website, and any suspicious advertisement or practice can be reported via the phone number 600590000.

Additionally, the ministry continues to run campaigns to educate the public and provides training materials on how to recognize profiles and advertisements conducting irregular brokerage.

What happens to violators?

Individuals and companies conducting labor brokerage without a license face strict penalties. The violated legislation concerns the law on household workers, which precisely defines the recruitment methods, conditions, and participants. Offenders risk fines, suspension of their business operations, and in some cases, even criminal proceedings.

Working with social media providers, authorities are increasingly quick to identify and act against non-compliant accounts.

Consumer protection and social security

The measure not only protects the integrity of the labor market but also serves family and social stability. A well-regulated labor brokerage system reduces the number of abuses, prevents human trafficking, and ensures that workers perform their tasks under decent conditions with appropriate legal protection.

This is particularly important in a country like the UAE, where household workers are present in large numbers in everyday life and play a key role in family operations.

Summary

The United Arab Emirates' shutdown of 230 social accounts in 2025 serves as a serious warning to those intending to hire household workers. Unauthorized recruitment activities are not only illegal but can also be dangerous for both families and workers. The state's goal is to ensure labor brokerage is conducted only in a legally controlled, transparent, and safe manner. Employers are responsible for choosing service providers with this in mind and should not fall for unauthorized advertisements prevalent on social media.