Food sounds like a small thing, but it is one of the most common sources of upset — and it is your legal responsibility. Feeding your maid properly is both the law and simple human decency. Here is what is fair.
Your duty: proper food or an allowance
Across the GCC, the employer must provide the domestic worker with suitable food or a fair food allowance. “Suitable” means enough, nutritious, and reasonable for her — not just leftovers.
Getting it right
Three proper meals a day. A hungry worker is an unhappy, unhealthy one.
Many workers have religious or cultural food needs (halal, vegetarian). Respect them.
Many prefer to cook dishes from home. Allowing this costs nothing and means a lot.
If you give a food allowance instead, make sure it genuinely covers proper meals.
⚠️ Underfeeding a worker, giving only scraps, or counting food against her salary are mistreatment and can lead to a complaint. Proper food is non-negotiable.
The real fix for maid problems: training
Most maid problems start the same way — nobody trained her. On GCC Domestic, when you hire through a government-verified office, your worker trains 24/7 with Amina, our AI teacher, in her own language — cleaning, cooking, childcare, safety and basic English. She arrives ready on day one, not learning on your time and money.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to provide food for my maid?
Yes. Across the GCC, the employer must provide suitable, sufficient food or a fair food allowance — it is a legal responsibility, not optional.
What food should I give my maid?
Three proper, nutritious meals a day, respecting her religious and cultural needs. Many workers appreciate being allowed to cook their own dishes from home.
Can I give a food allowance instead of meals?
Yes, if it genuinely covers proper meals. What you cannot do is underfeed her, give only leftovers, or deduct food costs from her salary.
