Knowing your rights protects you and lets you work with confidence. Every GCC country now has a domestic-worker law with clear protections — here is what you are entitled to, and exactly who to contact if something goes wrong. This is a worker-facing guide; nothing here is legal advice, but it points you to the official channels.
Your basic rights as a domestic worker in the GCC
- A written contract stating your salary, job, hours and rest day — signed before or on arrival.
- Your salary paid in full and on time — increasingly through an electronic Wage Protection System (mandatory on Saudi Arabia's Musaned from 1 January 2026), which creates a record that protects you.
- A weekly rest day and daily rest hours, plus paid leave under most countries' rules.
- Suitable food and accommodation provided by the employer.
- Medical care and insurance.
- Safe, respectful treatment — abuse and threats are illegal everywhere in the GCC.
You have the right to keep your own passport
In the UAE, Saudi Arabia and across the GCC, an employer holding or confiscating your passport against your will is not allowed. Your passport is yours. If it has been taken and not returned, that is a serious issue you can raise with the official labour authority below.
What to do if your salary is late or unpaid
- Raise it calmly first — keep a simple record of dates and amounts.
- If it is not resolved, contact the official labour authority in your country (below). Many have a hotline and accept complaints by phone or app.
- Keep evidence: your contract, messages, and bank/WPS records.
Who to contact in each GCC country
- UAE — Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE), 600 590000.
- Saudi Arabia — Musaned / Ministry of Human Resources (HRSD).
- Kuwait — Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).
- Qatar — Ministry of Labour.
- Bahrain — Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
- Oman — Ministry of Labour.
In an emergency or if you feel unsafe, contact the local police immediately, then the labour authority.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if an agent asks you to pay large fees, takes your passport, changes your agreed salary or job after arrival, or refuses to give you a copy of your contract. A licensed agency and a documented salary protect you — that is why hiring through official channels matters for workers too.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer keep my passport?
No. Across the GCC, confiscating a worker's passport against their will is not allowed — your passport is yours to keep.
What if my salary is not paid?
Keep records, raise it calmly, and if unresolved contact your country's labour authority (MOHRE, Musaned/HRSD, PAM, Qatar Ministry of Labour, LMRA or Oman Ministry of Labour). Electronic salary systems make unpaid wages easier to prove.
Am I entitled to a day off?
Most GCC domestic-worker laws provide a weekly rest day and daily rest hours, plus paid leave. Check your contract and country rules.
Is it free to file a complaint?
The official labour authorities provide complaint channels for workers; you should not pay an agent to access your own rights.
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