The United Arab Emirates have issued a new unified contract law for domestic workers since the beginning of June 2014. The Ministry of Interior have contacted the embassies of the largest exporter of domestic workers namely Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the clarification on the confusion of the new rules.

In this new law, the rights of the domestic workers are protected under a binding contract between the employer and the housemaids. The Ministry will directly supervise the implementation of the newly modified contracts to make sure that both parties will perform their duties and responsibilities. The embassies of these countries need not to attest it because it will be under the duties 0f UAE authorities.

The new contract intent to assure transparency and renders legal security for both parties as well as to modify the legal procedures, to save time and effort and establish their working relationship.

However, the Philippine embassy did not agree with the new implementation because of the difference in labour policy. The verification of contracts for Filipino domestic helpers is under the law and it is strictly followed to protect the workers before the approval for deployment.

Philippine Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz clarified that there is no deployment ban, but the suspension of this verification of contracts for household workers by the UAE has affected the scenario. No Filipino domestic workers were deployed since June 1, thus resulting to the shortage of household employees. Filipinos are the most in demand household worker in UAE because they are hard working, can speak English and doesn't cause much trouble, according to a hiring agency there.

Baldoz believed that the two governments will find an agreeable arrangement for both parties like that of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. The UAE government has disclosed enthusiasm to discuss the issue with the Philippines and the latter have agreed to engaged in the talk.