Annual leave rights for domestic workers in the UAE are protected by Federal Decree-Law No. (9) of 2022. According to this law, domestic workers are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of annual leave for each year of service. This means that if you work for less than a year but more than six months, you will still earn leave. The first 15 days are fully paid, while the next 15 days are paid at half pay. It's crucial to note that if your illness is a result of your own behavior, you won't be paid during sick leave.
In addition to annual leave, you are also entitled to sick leave in case of illness. You can take up to 30 days of sick leave per year, either consecutively or intermittently. However, working during sick leave is restricted to once every two years. Public holidays that occur during your annual leave are also included, granting you 2 days per month of service during this period.
If you need to work during your annual leave, your employer must pay you extra on top of your regular wage. Furthermore, if your contract is concluding immediately after your annual leave, your employer is responsible for covering the cost of your return ticket home every two years. These laws exist to safeguard the health, happiness, and well-being of overseas Filipino workers, ensuring that they are treated fairly and provided with necessary protections during their employment overseas.
