What is Tadbeer?

Tadbeer (Arabic: تدبير, meaning "arrangement" or "planning") is a regulated network of approximately 240 MOHRE-licensed recruitment centres in the United Arab Emirates that manage the legal recruitment, sponsorship, and welfare of domestic workers. The programme was launched in 2018 to replace the previous system of unregulated private recruitment offices.

Definition

Tadbeer is the brand name used by the UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for the country's official network of domestic worker recruitment centres. Each centre operates under a MOHRE-issued license and serves as a one-stop shop for hiring a maid, nanny, driver, cook, caregiver, gardener, or guard.

Operationally, a Tadbeer centre handles every step of the recruitment lifecycle: liaison with source-country agencies (Philippines, Indonesia, Ethiopia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, and Uganda among others), MOHRE-prescribed bilingual contracts, Emirates ID, medical fitness examination, two-year work visa, and the mandatory 6-month replacement warranty.

History

Before 2017, the UAE had hundreds of private domestic worker recruitment offices with minimal centralised oversight. Disputes were common, contracts were inconsistent, and workers had limited formal recourse for abuse, unpaid wages, or contract violations.

On 29 September 2017, the UAE government enacted Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers, the first comprehensive piece of legislation specifically protecting domestic workers in the country. The law established the framework for the Tadbeer programme, which began rolling out in January 2018 to consolidate all legitimate recruitment under MOHRE-licensed centres.

By 2020 the network had reached roughly 137 centres. By 2026 it has expanded to approximately 240 centres operating across all 7 emirates, with the largest concentrations in Dubai (around 42 centres), Abu Dhabi (around 26), Ajman (around 23), and Sharjah.

How a Tadbeer centre works

From an employer's perspective, the Tadbeer process compresses what used to be a 30+ day multi-office workflow into a single point of contact. A typical hire through a Tadbeer centre includes the following steps:

Initial enquiry. Employer contacts the centre via WhatsApp, phone, or in person, providing eligibility documents (Emirates ID, salary certificate, tenancy contract / Ejari).
Nationality + role match. Centre proposes candidates based on family preferences, language, experience, and budget. Most centres show photos and short bios.
Contract signing. Both parties sign the MOHRE-prescribed bilingual contract — Arabic and English (and often a third language for the worker). The contract specifies salary, working hours, weekly rest day, annual leave, and end-of-service benefits.
Documentation processing. Centre handles visa application, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, health insurance, and source-country deployment coordination.
Worker arrival + induction. Worker arrives in the UAE, completes biometrics, receives Emirates ID, and begins the placement.
Warranty period. First 6 months are the mandatory replacement warranty window during which the centre must replace the worker free of charge if the placement does not work out within reasonable grounds.

Worker protections under Tadbeer

Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 extended formal labour protections to domestic workers for the first time in the UAE. Workers placed through Tadbeer have the legal right to:

A written, bilingual employment contract
One paid weekly rest day
30 paid annual leave days after one year of service
End-of-service gratuity (1 month's pay per year worked)
Mandatory health insurance paid by the employer
Direct access to MOHRE's complaint and dispute-resolution channels
Protection from passport withholding (illegal under UAE law)

How to verify a Tadbeer centre

Every legitimate Tadbeer centre is listed in MOHRE's official establishment registry. To verify any specific centre:

Visit mohre.gov.ae
Use the Establishment Search with the centre's name or facility number
Confirm the record shows "Active" license status
Cross-reference the address with the physical location
If anything is unclear, call MOHRE on 600-590-000

Warning sign: A self-styled "Tadbeer centre" that cannot provide a MOHRE facility number, refuses physical office visits, demands cash payment to a personal account, or pressures off-contract terms is operating illegally. Do not pay anything until you have verified the centre on MOHRE's official site.

Tadbeer vs Musaned (Saudi Arabia)

Tadbeer is the UAE's domestic worker recruitment framework. Musaned is Saudi Arabia's equivalent platform under HRSD. Both serve the same purpose (regulated domestic worker recruitment) but differ in structure: Tadbeer is a network of physical centres, while Musaned is a centralised electronic platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word 'Tadbeer' mean in Arabic?

Tadbeer (تدبير) is an Arabic word meaning 'arrangement', 'planning', or 'finding a practical solution'. The UAE government chose this name for its domestic worker recruitment programme to signal a structured, professionally managed alternative to the previous unregulated system.

How many Tadbeer centres are there in the UAE?

As of 2026, there are approximately 240 MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centres operating across all 7 emirates of the UAE. The largest concentrations are in Dubai (around 42 centres), Abu Dhabi (~26), Ajman (~23), and Sharjah.

Who regulates Tadbeer centres?

All Tadbeer centres are licensed and regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) under UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers. MOHRE manages license issuance, renewal, dispute resolution, and oversight of contract compliance.

When was the Tadbeer programme launched?

The Tadbeer programme was officially launched in January 2018, replacing the previous system of unregulated private recruitment offices. The framework was established under UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers.

Is using a Tadbeer centre mandatory for hiring domestic workers in the UAE?

Yes. All domestic worker recruitment in the UAE must go through a MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre. Using an unlicensed recruiter is illegal under Federal Law No. 10 of 2017, and contracts arranged outside the Tadbeer framework are not legally enforceable.

How do I verify a Tadbeer centre is legitimate?

Go to mohre.gov.ae and use the Establishment Search to enter the centre's name or facility number. A legitimate Tadbeer centre will return an active record. You can also call MOHRE on 600-590-000 to confirm any centre's current status.

What does a Tadbeer centre charge?

Tadbeer recruitment fees in 2026 typically range from AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 for one-time recruitment, depending on nationality, experience, and centre. This fee covers worker recruitment from source country, MOHRE-prescribed contract, Emirates ID, medical examination, and the mandatory 6-month replacement warranty. Monthly salary (AED 1,200-2,000 depending on nationality) is paid separately by the employer.

What is the 6-month replacement warranty?

Every Tadbeer centre is required by MOHRE regulations to provide a 6-month replacement warranty: if the domestic worker does not work out (returns to source country, requests termination, or is unsatisfactory within objective grounds), the Tadbeer centre must provide a free replacement within the warranty window.