Our maid has been with us for several years but will be leaving at the end of the month and returning to the Philippines. We are on good terms and want to make a larger final payment to her, but are not sure what the law says about a gratuity payment to domestic staff as we have been told different things. We want to pay at least the amount legally required, so could you clarify please? PJ, Dubai
As the law stands, UAE Labour Law does not apply to domestic staff. This means currently sponsors of domestic staff have no legal requirement to make an end of service gratuity payment, although many do so voluntarily. I understand, however, that the Federal National Council has been discussing a law that will make an end of service gratuity payment for domestic staff mandatory after one year of service, but this has yet to be passed into law.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years of experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE
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