Recruitment fees workers should not pay
Labour laws across the GCC put recruitment and permit costs on the employer or bar agencies from charging workers.
- UAE: Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 prohibits the employer from charging the worker recruitment fees and costs.1
- Saudi Arabia: Article 40 of the Labor Law says the employer bears recruitment fees, Iqama and work permit fees and exit and re-entry visa fees.2
- Qatar: Article 33 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 bars licensed recruiters from collecting recruitment fees or other charges from workers.3
- Oman: a MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) guide says Article 31 of Royal Decree 53/2023 makes recruitment fees illegal.4
- Bahrain: LMRA says the employer may not charge the worker any fees for issuing or renewing the work permit.5
- Kuwait: Human Rights Watch reported that the 2015 domestic workers law bars recruitment agencies from accepting any payment from domestic workers.6
Sources
- UAE Government (u.ae) / MoHRE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship and its amendments
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Article (40): Fees and costs borne by the employer
- UNODC SHERLOC legislation database Law No. 14 of 2004 on the promulgation of the Labour Law (Articles 4, 33, 57 and 93)
- MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org, reviewed by Clyde and Co) Know Your Rights: Oman Labour Law
- Labour Market Regulatory Authority Contractual Obligations of Expatriate Employee and Employer (V.01)
- Human Rights Watch Kuwait: New Law a Breakthrough for Domestic Workers