MOHRE Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator (2026 Guide)
Calculate end-of-service gratuity for housemaids, nannies, drivers & household staff
Uses the 14-day industry practice. Current law leaves the exact rate to your contract.
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Gratuity is confusing for housemaids, nannies, drivers, and their employers. Domestic worker gratuity calculation rules differ from standard UAE labour law. Many workers and employers apply the private-sector 21-day or 30-day rate by mistake. That’s one of the 10 UAE gratuity calculation errors to catch early. The gap can run into thousands of dirhams.
Use the calculator above to check your own figure before you sign anything. It lets you spot a shortfall before your final settlement is issued, not after. A quick check can save you money.
Domestic worker gratuity is calculated at 14 days of basic salary per year of service. The exact rate is left to a future Cabinet decision, but most employers and MOHRE follow this figure. This guide covers calculating your gratuity, the documents MOHRE requires, and what to do if payment is refused.
Written by: Noura Al-Qaseer – Senior HR Manager & UAE Labour Law Advisor (20+ years’ UAE private-sector HR experience)
Legally reviewed by: Adv. Marwan A. Hamid – UAE Labour Law Advocate
Last updated: July 2026 | Next review: December 2026
Who Qualifies as a Domestic Worker?
UAE law recognizes 19+ domestic worker professions. Most domestic workers are calculated using the same 14-day industry practice, regardless of role. Confirm the exact rate in your contract.
Recognized professions include:
Community domestic maids in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates follow the same gratuity rules as those in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Which Law Governs Domestic Worker Gratuity?
The law that governs your gratuity depends on your visa type. The domestic worker framework (FDL 9/2022) governs household staff on domestic visas. Each UAE domestic worker claiming gratuity should verify their visa type first. Company visa holders may fall under general Labour Law instead.
Check your visa sponsor name carefully. Family or individual sponsor means FDL 9/2022 applies. Company sponsor may mean FDL 33/2021 applies. You can confirm your sponsor type by checking your work permit status online.
The legal framework includes FDL 9/2022, Cabinet Resolution 106/2022, and FDL 21/2023 amendments. MOHRE oversees enforcement.
For Employers: Confirm your worker’s visa type before calculating gratuity. Using the wrong formula can lead to MOHRE complaints. Under FDL 9/2022, employers must pay all financial entitlements within 10 days of the contract ending.
Source: UAE Government Portal
Do free zone residents follow domestic worker gratuity rules?
If your employer lives in a free zone but sponsors you on a household visa, FDL 9/2022 generally applies. Visa sponsorship matters more than the employer’s location. If a free zone company sponsors you, another framework may apply.
What Is the Gratuity Formula for Domestic Workers?
In practice, most gratuity calculations use a 14 days per year method based on earlier rules. MOHRE generally applies this standard, though FDL 9/2022 delegates specific terms to contract and Cabinet regulations. Always check your contract for gratuity provisions.
(Basic Salary ÷ 30) × 14 × Years = Total Gratuity
The formula uses basic salary only. Do not include food allowance, accommodation allowance, or transport benefits. This calculation method applies to final settlement for household staff.
Example: Housemaid with 5 Years Service
Fatima earns AED 2,000 basic salary monthly. She worked exactly 5 years for one family in Dubai.
Step 1 : Daily wage: 2,000 ÷ 30 = AED 66.67
Step 2 : Yearly gratuity: 66.67 × 14 = AED 933.33
Step 3 : Total gratuity: 933.33 × 5 = AED 4,666.67
Legal Note: The 14-day formula comes from Federal Law 10/2017 (now repealed). FDL 9/2022 delegates gratuity rules to the Cabinet. In many settlements, the 14-day approach is used in practice, but outcomes can vary by contract and case.
Best step: confirm sponsor + contract, then calculate and keep proof.
What if my contract does not show basic salary separately?
If your contract shows one total salary, ask your employer for a written basic salary breakdown. Keep bank transfer records for every payment. If there is a dispute, MOHRE may review your contract, payment records, and similar domestic worker terms.
Service Period Rules
Basic service length checks for correct estimate are:
- Less than one year of service: Domestic workers generally need one full year before gratuity applies. Some contracts may include a shorter qualifying period. Check your contract and confirm with MOHRE.
- Partial Years: Partial years are calculated proportionally. If you worked 3 years and 6 months, the calculation uses 3.5 years as the multiplier.
- Probation period: If the contract includes a probation period and the worker or employer ends the relationship during probation, no gratuity is owed. Gratuity entitlement only begins after the worker completes one full year of continuous service.
How Do You Use the Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator?
Here are easy steps to calculate domestic worker end of service estimates instantly. Enter four details: joining date, leaving date, basic monthly salary, and reason for leaving. The calculator instantly estimates your gratuity based on 14-day formula.
5 steps to follow to calculate:
- Enter joining date — exact start date from your contract
- Enter leaving date — your last working day
- Enter basic salary — monthly basic only (exclude allowances)
- Select leaving reason — contract end, termination, resignation, or breach
- Click calculate — get instant gratuity estimate
The calculator instantly estimates your gratuity based on the 14-day formula. Learn how our gratuity calculators work and how figures are derived.
Tip: Have your employment contract ready. The calculator uses basic salary, not total package.
Does leaving reason change domestic worker gratuity?
Yes, how the employment of a domestic worker ends may affect your final payout. MOHRE considers circumstances including contract terms, notice served, and reason for termination. Outcomes vary by case, so document how your employment ended carefully.
| Leaving Reason | Gratuity Impact | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contract completed | Generally full amount | Standard outcome |
| Arbitrary termination or dismissal without worker fault | Generally full amount | MOHRE may review compensation, repatriation costs, and other dues |
| Employer breach | Generally full amount | May include compensation Worker may file a MOHRE complaint if dues are unpaid |
| Resigned with notice | Generally full amount | Proper notice important |
| Resigned without reason/notice | May be affected | MOHRE considers circumstances |
| Misconduct | May be reduced or denied | Depends on contract + MOHRE decision |
Important: Domestic workers in Dubai and other emirates should serve proper notice to protect their final payout. Document your resignation or termination in writing. In disputes, MOHRE typically reviews visa sponsor type, contract terms, and proof of salary and service dates.
Example: Unfair Termination
Ahmed earns AED 2,500. He worked 2 years.
Dismissed by arbitrary termination (no valid reason given)
Gratuity: (2,500 ÷ 30) × 14 × 2 = AED 2,333
Compensation: AED 2,500
Total: AED 4,833
What else adds to Final Settlement?
Each domestic helper in UAE should receive final payout including unused leave, unpaid salary, and return airfare after two years. Employers may also owe compensation for worked rest days and work injuries.
Calculate each component separately then add them together for the total amount due.
Final settlement components:
- Unused annual leave: Workers get 30 days paid leave per year. If any days remain unused, employer pays cash at the daily rate.
- Rest day compensation: If worker worked on weekly off without a replacement day, employer owes payment for those days.
- Return airfare: After completing 2+ years of service, employer pays for flight to home country.
- Work injury compensation: If injured on duty and it caused disability, special compensation may apply under UAE law.
- Final salary: All unpaid wages for days worked in the final month.
- Overtime payment: Any documented overtime hours not yet compensated must be included.
- Medical insurance: Employers must provide health insurance coverage under FDL 9/2022. If the employer failed to provide valid insurance during employment, the worker may have grounds to raise this at MOHRE during dispute resolution.
Calculate unused leave carefully. If a worker used only 20 of 30 annual leave days, the employer owes cash for the remaining 10 days.
For Employers: Calculate all components before settlement. Missing any element may result in MOHRE filing complaints against you.
What Are Employer Obligations for Domestic Worker Gratuity?
Employers should provide a written final settlement breakdown. Keep all records including contract and salary proof. Gratuity and other dues depend on visa sponsor type, contract terms, and documented evidence.
- Confirm sponsor/visa type (household vs Tadbeer/agency vs company) before applying any formula.
- Use basic salary from the contract for the gratuity calculation (allowances are usually excluded).
- Issue a written settlement sheet showing gratuity plus all other dues and any deductions (with proof).
- Keep records: contract, salary/bank/WPS (Wage Protection System) proof, and written notice/termination messages.
- Pay dues promptly and complete settlement before visa cancellation steps where possible to avoid disputes.
Settlement timing: Employers must settle all dues within 10 days of the contract ending. This is required under Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. A domestic helper visa holder should receive payment before visa cancellation begins. Delays may result in MOHRE complaints.
How Do You File a MOHRE Complaint?
Request payment in writing first. If refused, connect to MOHRE through the helpline or use their app to file a complaint. MOHRE schedules mediation. If unresolved, the case may proceed to Labour Court where domestic workers are exempt from fees.
The complaint process is designed to be accessible. You do not need a lawyer to file or attend mediation sessions.
- Calculate your entitlement using the calculator first
- Send written payment request to employer with deadline
- If refused or ignored, call MOHRE hotline 80060
- Or file complaint through MOHRE smartphone app — if you need to sign documents digitally, see our guide on the UAE e-signature card
- Attend the scheduled mediation session
- If unresolved at mediation, case moves to Labour Court
Keep all communication records during this process. Screenshots of messages and emails strengthen your case during mediation. If you prefer in-person help, visit a MOHRE-approved Domestic Workers Services Center (official list).
MOHRE typically resolves straightforward cases within a few weeks. Complex disputes may take longer if they proceed to court. In many cases, domestic workers may be exempt from court fees. Confirm current fees and steps with MOHRE directly.
Use our gratuity application letter template to make a formal written demand and MOHRE complaint.
What Happens with Tadbeer Agency Workers?
Tadbeer agencies are the legal employer. The agency pays gratuity, not the household. A domestic helper in Abu Dhabi working through Tadbeer has different gratuity responsibility than direct hires.
Many domestic workers now work through Tadbeer service centers. This system launched in 2017 to provide better protection for workers and households.
| Aspect | Direct Hire | Tadbeer |
|---|---|---|
| Legal employer | Household | Agency |
| Pays gratuity | Household | Agency |
| Complaints filed against | Household | Agency |
| Visa sponsor | Household | Agency |
| Issues experience letter | Household | Agency |
Fast check (who pays and who the complaint is against):
- Check sponsor name on the visa.
- Household sponsor → household is employer (pays dues).
- Tadbeer/agency sponsor → agency is employer (pays dues).
- Company sponsor → you may fall under private-sector rules.
Tadbeer gratuity calculator
Enter your basic salary and service dates in the calculator above. Tadbeer workers use the same 14-day formula as direct hires. Your result shows the amount owed by the agency.
What Documents Do You Need to Claim Gratuity?
Keep your contract, passport copy, Emirates ID, WPS bank statements, and a termination letter. These prove the service period and salary. Documentation wins disputes while verbal claims rarely succeed.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Employment contract | Proves salary, start date, terms |
| Emirates ID | Identity verification |
| WPS bank statements | Proves actual salary received |
| Termination letter | Proves how employment ended |
| Visa copy | Confirms domestic worker status |
How Do WPS Records Support Your Gratuity Claim?
Where salary is paid through approved bank transfer channels, WPS creates an official record of each payment. Domestic helpers can use these bank statements as proof of actual wages received. This evidence may strengthen gratuity claims if employers dispute salary amounts.
WPS records and shows monthly salary transfers through UAE banks. Each payment is timestamped and linked to your Emirates ID. MOHRE can verify these records during disputes.
Why WPS matters for domestic worker gratuity claims:
- Proof of wages: Official bank record shows exactly what you received each month.
- Service period verification: Payment history shows continuous employment dates.
- Dispute resolution: If employer claims lower salary, WPS records prove the truth.
- MOHRE verification: Ministry can access records directly during complaints.
If part of your salary was paid in cash outside WPS, proving that amount becomes very difficult. Your gratuity may calculate only on the documented bank transfer amount.
Tip: Always request full salary through bank transfer. Keep bank statements showing all WPS payments throughout your entire employment period.
Warning: Cash payments outside WPS cannot be verified by MOHRE. This may reduce your gratuity calculation significantly.
How Can You Protect Your Gratuity Rights?
Get everything in writing from day one. Keep salary records and employer communications. Always serve proper notice when resigning. File complaints promptly if payment is refused.
Always remember, documentation wins disputes. Verbal claims are extremely difficult to prove at MOHRE or in court. Start protecting yourself from the first day of employment.
Common mistakes that cost workers money:
- Leaving without notice: Serve your notice period even if employer is difficult. Document your attempt if they refuse to accept it in writing.
- Accepting cash payments: Undocumented salary reduces your provable income and therefore your gratuity calculation.
- No termination letter: If employer fires you verbally, request written confirmation immediately. Verbal termination is hard to prove.
- Waiting too long: File complaints promptly after employment ends. Do not delay seeking your legal entitlements. Court claims have a three-month limit under Article 26(2). The period starts when the work relationship ends.
For Employers: Maintain proper records of all payments, leave taken, and contract terms. Clear documentation protects both parties during settlement.
What Happens If a Worker Dies During Employment?
If a domestic helper dies during employment, gratuity and other dues may transfer to legal heirs. MOHRE guidance and contract terms typically determine the process. Employers should consult MOHRE for specific procedures.
The employer generally settles outstanding wages, unused leave, and gratuity with the worker’s family or legal representatives. Documentation and MOHRE coordination are essential in these situations.
How Does This Differ from Private Sector Gratuity?
Domestic helpers receive 14 days per year. Private sector employees receive 21 days for years 1-5 and 30 days after. A domestic helper in Dubai on a household visa follows different gratuity rules than corporate employees.
| Aspect | Domestic Workers | Private Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Law | FDL 9/2022 | FDL 33/2021 |
| Gratuity Rate | 14 days/year | 21 days (1-5 yrs) + 30 days (6+) |
| Maximum Cap | No cap specified | 2 years salary |
| Minimum Service | 1 year | 1 year |
For private sector calculations, use our UAE Gratuity Calculator with the 21/30-day formula. For full private sector rights, see our UAE Labour Law Guide.
Private sector gratuity also depends on your contract type. See our limited and unlimited contract guide to check which rules apply to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick checklist for domestic worker gratuity
- Confirm sponsor (household vs Tadbeer/agency vs company).
- Use basic salary (allowances usually excluded).
- Count service correctly (include partial years).
- Keep proof (contract + bank/WPS + leaving message).
- Ask for a written settlement breakdown before visa cancellation.
- If refused/delayed, file a MOHRE complaint and attend mediation with documents.
Whether you are a helper or employer, knowing the correct gratuity amount prevents disputes and ensures fair settlement.
Use our Domestic Workers Gratuity Calculator to estimate entitlement instantly.
Do not leave UAE without settling dues. Claiming unpaid gratuity becomes much harder once you depart.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers — Current domestic worker legal framework, as amended. View official source
- Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023 — Amendments to Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022
- Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022 — Executive Regulations for Domestic Workers. View official source
- Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 (repealed) — Historical domestic worker framework and legacy gratuity basis
- UAE Government and MOHRE Guidance — Official domestic worker rights, complaint procedures, and employment guidance
Conclusion
Most domestic worker gratuity disputes come from three errors: wrong visa category, total pay used instead of basic salary, or incomplete payment records. Confirm the sponsor, calculate on basic salary, and keep proof of salary and service dates.
