Ministerial Decision 702/2025 — UAE Absconding Fine AED 50,000 Explained
Quick answer: Ministerial Decision 702 of 2025 (issued by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) introduced a AED 50,000 fine for false absconding reports filed by sponsors against domestic workers. The decision is part of the Business Center penalty framework that holds employers accountable when they misuse the absconding-report system to coerce or punish workers. The rule went into force in late 2025 and is actively enforced through Tadbeer centers + MOHRE in 2026.
If you're a sponsor frustrated with a domestic worker who has left, taken a long break, or threatened to leave — read this before you file an absconding report. Filing the wrong way costs you AED 50,000 plus criminal liability. Filing the right way is free and takes 7 minutes.
What Is MD 702 of 2025?
Ministerial Decision 702 of 2025 is a regulation issued by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). It strengthens accountability across Tadbeer centers and sponsoring households by:
- Imposing AED 50,000 fines for false absconding reports
- Requiring 7-day verification before a worker is officially marked absconded
- Mandating mediation-first protocol for disputes
- Tightening Tadbeer center accountability (license risk for repeat false reports)
- Expanding worker recourse via the Wages Protection Programme
The decision implements the spirit of Federal Decree-Law 9/2022 — which protects domestic workers — by punishing abuse of the absconding system.
Why MD 702/2025 Was Created
Before 2025, sponsors could file an absconding report quickly with minimal verification. This was abused in three ways:
- Coercion — sponsors filed fake absconding reports to pressure workers into accepting bad contracts
- Wage theft — workers who escaped non-payment were reported as "absconded," wiping out their salary claim
- Visa termination shortcut — sponsors used absconding to cancel visas without paying end-of-service or air ticket
The December 2024 ICA / MOHRE audits showed up to 18% of absconding reports were retracted within 30 days — strong indicator of misuse. MD 702/2025 was the response.
When You CAN Legally File an Absconding Report
A genuine absconding report is appropriate only when ALL three conditions are met:
✅ Worker has been missing for 7+ consecutive days ✅ All outstanding salary has been paid in full (a worker fleeing unpaid wages is protected escape, not absconding) ✅ Personal belongings remain at the residence (a worker who packed everything didn't abscond — she ran for a reason)
If any of these is not true, do NOT file. You'll face the AED 50,000 fine plus possible criminal charge.
When You CANNOT File (or You're Risking the Fine)
🛑 Worker has been gone less than 7 days 🛑 You owe her unpaid salary, even partial 🛑 She told you she was leaving (verbally, by message, in writing) 🛑 You suspect abuse pushed her out (file a different complaint instead) 🛑 She took her belongings (means she left intentionally — not absconding) 🛑 She's at your relative's home / friend's home / on a long visit 🛑 You're using the report as leverage to make her come back
Mediation-First Protocol
MD 702/2025 mandates that every dispute must attempt mediation before escalation. The protocol:
Step 1 — Sponsor Contacts Worker Directly
- WhatsApp / phone / in-person conversation
- Document the attempt (screenshot, log, note)
Step 2 — Tadbeer Center Mediation
- The licensed Tadbeer center mediates between sponsor and worker
- Most disputes resolve here in 24-48 hours
Step 3 — MOHRE Hotline (800-MOHRE)
- Free conciliation service
- 14-day investigation window
- Both parties invited to present their side
Step 4 — Formal MOHRE Complaint
- Filed through the MOHRE Domestic Worker eServices
- Last resort
Only after Steps 1-3 fail (with documentation) should you proceed to absconding report.
How to File an Absconding Report (Correctly)
If — after the 7-day rule, salary verification, and mediation — you still believe a genuine absconding occurred:
- Login to the MOHRE Domestic Worker portal via UAE Pass
- Navigate to "Absconding Report"
- Provide: worker's full name, passport number, last seen date, last known location
- Confirm: outstanding salary is zero (the system asks)
- Acknowledge: the AED 50,000 false-report fine
- Submit — receipt is generated immediately
Filing is free. Processing is automatic. The worker's visa is suspended within 24 hours of submission.
If she returns within 60 days, you can withdraw the report (free) and resume the contract.
What Happens If You File a False Report
If MOHRE later determines your report was false:
⚠️ AED 50,000 fine issued to sponsor ⚠️ Sponsorship suspension for 12 months (cannot hire new domestic workers) ⚠️ Bank guarantee penalty — your AED 10,000 with the Tadbeer center may be partially or fully forfeited ⚠️ Criminal referral — depending on circumstances (especially if worker pursues counter-complaint)
In 2026, MOHRE has reportedly issued more than 400 such fines in the first quarter alone. The system is real and active.
Worker Counter-Complaint Rights
If a worker is the target of a false absconding report, she has legal recourse:
- File a counter-complaint with MOHRE within 30 days
- Document her side (where she was, why, witness statements, screenshots of communications with sponsor)
- Request bank guarantee withdrawal to cover unpaid wages
- Pursue WPP Wages Protection Programme for salary owed
- Request transfer to a new sponsor — sponsorship transfer is a recognized remedy
Workers who win counter-complaints often receive:
- All withheld salary
- Compensation for lost time during the dispute
- Air ticket home (if she chose to leave)
- A clean transfer to a new sponsor (if she chose to stay in UAE)
How MD 702/2025 Affects Tadbeer Centers
The decision also tightens Tadbeer center accountability:
- Centers that file absconding reports for >5% of their worker base annually face license review
- Centers must maintain a mediation log for every dispute
- Repeat offenders lose license + bank guarantee
- New centers must demonstrate dispute-resolution capability before licensure
Reputable Tadbeer centers actively coach sponsors through dispute resolution before any absconding report is filed. This is a strong sign of a quality center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for a false absconding report in UAE?
AED 50,000. Plus 12-month sponsorship suspension, possible bank guarantee forfeiture, and possible criminal referral. The fine was introduced by Ministerial Decision 702 of 2025.
How many days does the worker need to be missing before I can file an absconding report?
7 consecutive days. Filing before that triggers the false-report fine. The 7-day count starts from the last confirmed contact (in person, by WhatsApp, by phone).
Can I file an absconding report if my maid is at her friend's house but won't come back?
No. That's not absconding — that's a dispute. File a MOHRE conciliation complaint instead. The system distinguishes between "missing without explanation" (absconding) and "refusing to return" (contract dispute).
What if my maid took her belongings and left?
That's not absconding. Workers who pack and leave with their belongings have left intentionally — usually due to a dispute, mistreatment, or a better opportunity. File a contract cancellation, not an absconding report.
Can the worker file a counter-complaint if I file a false absconding report?
Yes. Workers can file counter-complaints within 30 days. If they win, they typically receive withheld salary, compensation, and a clean sponsorship transfer.
Where do I file an absconding report in UAE?
Through the MOHRE Domestic Worker eServices portal at eservices.mohre.gov.ae/MOHRE.Domestic.UI — login with UAE Pass, click "Absconding Report" tile.
Does MD 702/2025 apply only to Dubai or all of UAE?
All 7 emirates. It's a federal Ministerial Decision, applicable everywhere MOHRE has jurisdiction.
Conclusion — Use the System Correctly
MD 702/2025 is not anti-sponsor — it's anti-abuse. Legitimate absconding reports are still filed, processed, and resolved free of charge. The decision targets sponsors who weaponize the absconding mechanism against workers.
If you're considering an absconding report:
- Confirm 7+ days missing
- Confirm zero outstanding salary
- Confirm belongings still at home
- Try mediation first
- Document everything
Need help thinking it through? Hayat — our free AI legal helper — talks through the situation with you in native Gulf Arabic on WhatsApp. Or call 800-MOHRE for free conciliation.
Related Reading
- Federal Decree-Law 9/2022 Explained
- WPP Wages Protection — How to File a Salary Complaint
- UAE Police Clearance Certificate 2026
- How to Hire a Maid in Dubai 2026
Last updated May 2026. Cross-checked with MOHRE published rules. Next review: August 2026.