Indonesian Workers UAE Rights: What Your Contract Must Include
Indonesian workers in the UAE — primarily domestic workers — are protected by the Domestic Workers Law, general UAE labour law, and Indonesian government deployment guidelines through BP2MI. These protections cover salary, rest days, working hours, accommodation, and return tickets. Here is everything your contract must include.
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Verify My Rights NowYour Rights Under the Domestic Workers Law
The UAE Domestic Workers Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022) provides Indonesian domestic workers with specific, enforceable rights: a written employment contract registered with MoHRE, salary paid on time and in full, one paid rest day per week, 30 days annual leave after one year of service, adequate food and accommodation from the employer, 12 hours daily rest including 8 hours sleep, sick leave, and end-of-service gratuity.
The law prohibits: physical, verbal, or sexual abuse; confiscation of identity documents; restriction of communication; forced work for third parties; withholding of wages; and any form of forced labour. Employers who violate these provisions face fines of AED 10,000-100,000 and potential criminal charges.
If any of these rights are violated, you can terminate the contract immediately without serving notice and without forfeiting your end-of-service benefits. Your employer must still pay all unpaid wages, gratuity, and provide a return ticket.
3 Rights Violations Indonesian Workers Must Watch For
Working Hours Beyond Legal Limits Without Rest
Indonesian domestic workers frequently report working 16-18 hour days with no clear break time. The Domestic Workers Law guarantees 12 hours of daily rest including 8 hours of sleep. This means your maximum working day is 12 hours with breaks. If your employer expects you to be available around the clock — waking at 5 AM for breakfast preparation and not finishing until 11 PM after cleaning — this exceeds legal limits. Keep a daily log of your working hours.
Salary Paid Late or in Irregular Amounts
Some employers pay Indonesian domestic workers irregularly — sometimes early, sometimes late, sometimes partial amounts. Under UAE law, salary must be paid on the agreed date, in full. If your employer says they will 'pay next week' or gives you partial salary with promises to 'make up the difference', this is a wage violation. Note every payment date and amount. After 15 days of delay, you have grounds for a MoHRE complaint.
No Return Ticket Provided at Contract End
Indonesian government regulations and UAE law both require the employer to provide a return ticket to Indonesia at the end of employment. Some employers claim the worker 'must pay their own ticket' because they resigned, or because they were terminated during probation. Under UAE law, the return ticket obligation applies regardless of how the employment ended. If your employer refuses, file with MoHRE before leaving the country.
Indonesian Embassy and BP2MI Support
The Indonesian Embassy and Consulate in the UAE provide comprehensive support for workers: labour complaint mediation, emergency shelter for workers in distress, legal referrals, repatriation assistance, and coordination with BP2MI in Jakarta. These services are free for Indonesian nationals.
BP2MI (Badan Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia) is the Indonesian government agency responsible for protecting migrant workers. If your recruitment agency in Indonesia charged excessive fees, provided false information, or facilitated contract substitution, report to BP2MI through the Embassy. They can pursue legal action against the agency in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indonesian domestic workers in the UAE get a weekly rest day?
Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, all domestic workers are entitled to one paid rest day per week. If your employer asks you to work on your rest day, you must be compensated with a substitute day off or additional pay. The Indonesian government's deployment guidelines also mandate weekly rest. If your employer routinely denies your rest day, file a complaint with MoHRE and contact the Indonesian Embassy.
What is the end-of-service gratuity for Indonesian domestic workers?
Domestic workers are entitled to end-of-service gratuity after completing one year of service. The calculation is 14 days' salary per year of service for the first five years, then the full contract terms apply. The total gratuity cannot exceed two years' total salary. If your employer refuses to pay gratuity when your contract ends, file a complaint with MoHRE before your visa expires. Keep records of your salary payments as evidence.
Can the Indonesian Embassy help if my employer refuses to let me leave?
Yes. If your employer physically prevents you from leaving the house, confiscates your passport, or restricts your movement, this is unlawful detention. Call the police (999) immediately. Then contact the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi (+971-2-4435444) or Consulate in Dubai (+971-4-3985500). The Embassy can arrange emergency shelter, legal assistance, and repatriation. Do not wait — restriction of movement is a criminal offence.