Dubai, Mar.4th, 2007(WAM)--The UAE todayannounced that it would introduce new standard contracts to regulaterelations between domestic workers and their employers with effect fromApril 1.

General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Minister of Interior,announced Sunday details of a new unified domestic worker contract thatis designed to regulate the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers.

To be implemented from April 1, throughout the United Arab Emirates, theunified contract confirms the UAE's commitment to continuously improveits legal frameworks and to adhere to global best practices under theguidance of H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of theUAE and within the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum,UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

General Sheikh Saif said the new contract will play a significantrole in improving the quality of life of the UAE's expatriate residents,particularly domestic workers who constitute a large segment of the workforce.

He added that the departments of Immigration and Naturalization, throughoutthe UAE, will enforce the new contract when issuing new work visas fordomestic workers.

"The core of the new contract is transparency in the relationship betweenthe employer and the worker, while ensuring that both party's rights areprotected," said Mohammaed Al Marri, Director of the Department of Naturalizationand Residency in Dubai, and chairman of the department's committee responsibleof drafting the new unified contract.

"The contract stresses the importance of regulating work, the nature ofwork involved, and the need for clearly defined rest periods. It alsostates the importance of providing proper healthcare, in line with governmentrules, and states that salaries should also be agreed upon by both parties,"Al Marri added.

The domestic workers contract will be valid for two years from the startof actual work and can be extended by mutual consent. It includes conditionsgoverning vacation, air tickets and medical care. It also details theprocedures to be taken, should either party wish to break the contractbefore the end of the contract period or if an employee chooses to bereimbursed instead of taking his/her vacation or flight tickets.

Al Marri said the Department of Naturalization and Residency continuouslyseeks to curb the violation of workers' rights and other illegal activity,including taking fees or commissions from workers. These are coordinatedwith the consulates of the countries where the majority of workers comefrom.

According to the new procedures, three original copies of the contract- in Arabic and English - must be signed by both parties. Each party willreceive one copy and the third will be filed with the Department of Immigrationand Naturalization to refer to if needed.

The first article of the new contract specifies the monthly salary. Italso states that the salary must be paid in full at the end of every month.

Both parties must sign a salary slip - in Arabic and English - each monthwhich will be kept by the employer as a record of payments.

The contract requires that domestic workers commit to performing the dutiesand responsibilities associated with the job. Special clauses are includedto prevent the employer from forcing the worker to undertake hazardous,or unethical tasks, or assigning them work for another party.

Also clearly stated in the contract is the employer's responsibility inassisting domestic workers with transferring their salaries through theUAE's bank system, facilitating communication with families back home,and sending letters - without reading them - at the expense of the worker.

In the event of the death of the domestic worker, the new legislationplainly states that it is the employer's responsibility to repatriatethe body of the deceased to the home country and repatriate his/her personaleffects as soon as possible, in coordination with the concerned authoritiesin the worker's home country.

A specialized unit, within the department of Immigration and Naturalization,has been established to arbitrate conflicts. In the event of disputesnot settled within two weeks, cases will be referred to the courts. Aworker's legal rights will be disregarded if he or she absconds.

According to the new procedures, the employer will be responsible forhaving the contract authenticated by the Department of Immigration andNaturalization. If an employer directly hires a domestic worker, the employermust pay the same fees applicable to hiring agencies.

Under the terms of the new contract, workers will be eligible for onemonth's paid leave annually during the period of the contract. If theworker does not go on leave, he/she must be compensated with one month'sadditional salary. If it is mutually agreed, between the worker and theemployer, that the leave is not taken, the worker is entitled to receivethe money value of a return ticket.

At the expiry of the contract, the employer will have to provide the workerwith a one-way ticket to his/her home country. If the contract is renewedby mutual agreement, the employer must provide a return ticket to theworker so that he/she can resume their employment.

The contract also specifies the employer's responsibility to provide thedomestic worker with safe, healthy and adequate accommodation, and totreat him/her well and with respect. In return, the domestic worker mustcommit to undertaking his/her work with honesty, integrity, secrecy andin a way that does not contradict the cultures and traditions of the UAE.