Dubai and Abu Dhabi, 16 to 18 September 2026. The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed the closure of approximately 200 social media accounts during the first half of 2026. These accounts advertised the hiring of maids, nannies, cooks, drivers, and other domestic workers without holding the necessary licenses.
- Authorities closed 200 unlicensed social media accounts in H1 2026.
- Actions target illegal hiring of maids, nannies, cooks, and drivers.
- Expats from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, and Bangladesh are impacted.
- Penalties for illegal recruitment reach up to Dh10 million.
The enforcement action was conducted in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Authorities utilized field inspections, electronic tracking, and AI-driven monitoring to identify pages unaffiliated with authorized Tadbeer centers or MoHRE-licensed recruitment agencies. This initiative directly impacts the large expat population from nations including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, and Bangladesh. MoHRE warns that utilizing unlicensed channels poses significant legal risks. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers, sponsors, rather than unlicensed social media platforms, are held liable for regulatory violations. Penalties for illegal recruitment and related infractions range from tens of thousands of dirhams to as high as Dh10 million in severe cases. Furthermore, workers sourced through these channels often face exploitation, including the denial of medical insurance, weekly rest periods, and formal contracts.
The UAE currently recognizes 19 professions as domestic work, including housemaids, nannies, babysitters, cooks, personal or family drivers, gardeners, home nurses, private tutors, personal trainers, personal assistants, guards, housekeepers, farm workers, falcon caretakers, sailors, shepherds, and jockeys.
Official regulations require the use of Tadbeer centers or agencies listed on mohre.gov.ae. Employers are mandated to sign a standard two-year contract, pay wages within 10 days of the due date via the Wage Protection System (WPS) where applicable, provide accommodation, food, and health insurance, and ensure 12 hours of rest daily (including eight consecutive hours), one paid weekly rest day, 30 days of annual leave, and a return ticket every two years.
MoHRE advises the public to verify licensed offices via mohre.gov.ae, avoid transferring funds to personal accounts based on social media ads, and report fraudulent activities by calling 600 590 000.
Individuals who have already paid unlicensed parties are instructed to file a police report and submit a complaint through the MoHRE app. Dr. Sultan Al Saedi of the MoHRE confirmed on Abu Dhabi Radio on 18 September 2026 that monitoring of such accounts will continue following the H1 2026 closures.
