The Federal National Council (FNC) has passed a bill giving domestic workers a day off, holiday pay and limits their working hours. The draft was approved after a six-hour debate that ran until 2.30am on Wednesday.
The aim of the bill is to avaoid disputes over work conditions, time off and employment hours that can end up with police involvement or in court. FNC member Dr Saeed Al Mutawa said it was crucial that the chamber sent a message that the country would ensure the rights of workers.
"Every human has the right to go out, this is not prison. This should not be negotiated," Dr Al Mutawa said. He said all of the rights set out on Wednesday would be in employees’ contracts and "guaranteed by law".
The changes, which now await approval by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, include:
- one day off a week to be spent however the employee chooses – this came despite opposition from some who said leaving the home should be subject to the sponsor’s approval
- at least 12 hours off duty a day, including eight consecutive hours
- 30 days of paid annual leave.
The draft law which has been years in the making, covers 19 domestic roles. It was passed previously by the FNC in 2012, but not signed by the President.
Instead, it was sent to the Ministry of Labour to amend some of the clauses, and has been returned to the FNC.