12:13 pm - March 5, 2026
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, has recently introduced the Sustainable Guide for Domestic Support Workers. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader commitment to promote community-driven sustainability practices during the Year of the Community. Its primary objective is to foster responsible consumption of electricity and water, in alignment with national strategies aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability.
The guide is designed to educate domestic workers about efficient resource usage through practical tips and behaviours that reduce waste. By instilling a culture of rationalisation and environmental awareness among this vital workforce, the initiative not only aims to improve energy and water consumption metrics but also to elevate the overall quality of life and promote the sustainability of natural resources. These initiatives are consistent with the UAE’s ambitions to achieve climate neutrality and diminish the carbon footprint, which are crucial for sustainable development.
In recognition of the diverse backgrounds of domestic workers in the UAE, the guide has been translated into eight different languages. This ensures that the valuable information it contains is accessible to a broad range of individuals, thereby reinforcing the initiative’s efficacy and relevance. Engineer Fahad Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, expressed the significance of this initiative, stating that it aims to engage all segments of society in the UAE’s sustainability objectives, particularly those directly influencing family households.
Further enhancing this initiative is the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, which has previously implemented training programs focusing on water and energy conservation. In December 2022, the department launched a programme designed to empower domestic helpers as “change agents” in their households. This programme, part of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision for a sustainable environment, demonstrated its effectiveness by reporting that over 95% of participants found the training beneficial. Such findings highlight the potential domestic workers have to actively contribute to sustainability initiatives within homes, enhancing both environmental awareness and operational efficiency.
Moreover, mental well-being is also being prioritised alongside resource conservation. The Domestic Workers’ Guide includes a chapter developed by the Department of Community Development that addresses mental health issues affecting domestic workers. This segment provides insights into fostering mental well-being—recognising that the personal and professional lives of these workers significantly impact their overall productivity and quality of life. Dr. Layla Alhyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector, emphasised the importance of delivering comprehensive support that addresses both the physical and mental health needs of workers, thus ensuring a holistic approach to sustainability.
As part of the UAE’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society, these initiatives combined create a multi-faceted approach to not only improve the living conditions and environmental responsibility among domestic workers but also to elevate their status and awareness in society. The government’s focus on inclusivity and empowerment resonates deeply with the broader vision of ‘We the UAE 2031’, aiming to develop a future that balances growth with environmental stewardship.
Overall, the Sustainable Guide for Domestic Support Workers stands as a pivotal step in the UAE’s quest for sustainability and social responsibility. By equipping this essential demographic with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to both energy and water conservation, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, alongside its partners, is fostering an environment where everyone can play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2025-06-02-1.1949634 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.addcd.gov.ae/en/Media-Center/News/DCD-Empowers-Domestic-Helpers-in-Abu-Dhabi-as-Change-Agents-in-Water-and-Energy-Conservation – In December 2022, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE) and domestic helper licensing centres under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), launched a programme to train domestic helpers as change agents for water and energy conservation in UAE households. The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision for a sustainable environment and was based on a 2021 survey by the DoE, which concluded that domestic helpers can significantly contribute to energy and water conservation in households. Over 390 individuals participated in the training, with more than 95% finding the lessons easy to implement and 90% considering the training useful. An impact assessment showed a 23% improvement in domestic helpers’ knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices in the household. The programme aims to promote a culture of conservation, improve energy and water efficiency, and support the UAE’s sustainability goals. The DCD plans to extend the project to train domestic helpers across the Emirate.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303122307 – In January 2023, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi contributed to the development of the Domestic Workers’ Guide, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The DCD developed a chapter on mental health, providing information on factors impacting and enhancing domestic workers’ quality of life. The guide also emphasizes practices that promote mental well-being for all community members, including domestic workers, ensuring a positive impact on both physical and mental health. Dr. Layla Alhyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at DCD, highlighted the department’s commitment to supporting mental health and delivering high-quality services to all community segments to ensure social welfare. The DCD plans to continue collaborating with strategic partners to improve the social sector ecosystem and implement programmes tailored to meet the needs of community members, providing necessary support to effectively manage mental stress.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/uae-new-official-guide-addresses-mental-health-of-domestic-workers-1.93441547 – In January 2023, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launched a new guide addressing the mental health of domestic workers in the UAE. The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi contributed to developing the guide by creating a chapter on mental health, providing information on factors impacting and enhancing domestic workers’ quality of life. The guide emphasizes the importance of implementing practices that enhance mental well-being for all community members, including domestic workers, ensuring a positive impact on both physical and mental health. The DCD’s contribution aligns with its responsibility to deliver high-quality services to all community segments to ensure social welfare. The guide discusses various topics related to domestic work, such as workload, cultural and location adjustments, and maintaining social connections. It also covers important subjects like financial management, work hours, and the significance of sufficient rest for physical and mental well-being.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/community/department-of-community-development-makes-significant-contribution-to-domestic-workers-guide/ – In January 2023, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi contributed to the development of the Domestic Workers’ Guide, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The DCD developed a chapter on mental health, providing information on factors impacting and enhancing domestic workers’ quality of life. The guide also emphasizes practices that promote mental well-being for all community members, including domestic workers, ensuring a positive impact on both physical and mental health. Dr. Layla Alhyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at DCD, highlighted the department’s commitment to supporting mental health and delivering high-quality services to all community segments to ensure social welfare. The DCD plans to continue collaborating with strategic partners to improve the social sector ecosystem and implement programmes tailored to meet the needs of community members, providing necessary support to effectively manage mental stress.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/abu-dhabi-empowers-domestic-workers-to-become-agents-of-change-1.92508341 – In December 2022, Abu Dhabi launched an initiative to empower domestic helpers to conserve water and energy in UAE households. The programme, launched by the Department of Community Development (DCD), the Department of Energy (DoE), and domestic helper licensing centres under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), aims to make domestic workers agents for change. The training programme was delivered at 16 domestic helper licensing centres in Abu Dhabi and aligns with the emirate’s 2030 vision for a sustainable environment. The initiative focuses on promoting environmental awareness and sustainable living among domestic workers, enabling them to implement best practices for sustainability across households.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/uae-new-official-guide-addresses-mental-health-of-domestic-workers-1.93441547 – In January 2023, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launched a new guide addressing the mental health of domestic workers in the UAE. The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi contributed to developing the guide by creating a chapter on mental health, providing information on factors impacting and enhancing domestic workers’ quality of life. The guide emphasizes the importance of implementing practices that enhance mental well-being for all community members, including domestic workers, ensuring a positive impact on both physical and mental health. The DCD’s contribution aligns with its responsibility to deliver high-quality services to all community segments to ensure social welfare. The guide discusses various topics related to domestic work, such as workload, cultural and location adjustments, and maintaining social connections. It also covers important subjects like financial management, work hours, and the significance of sufficient rest for physical and mental well-being.
