The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation shut down 45 recruitment agencies in the past year, with four recruiters in Al Ain fined and closed in the past two weeks. The firms were shut down for legal offences.

Officials said the establishments failed to obtain the necessary licences.

"An administrative fine of AED 50,000 (USD 13,612) has been imposed against the four recruiters in Al Ain and they were referred to the public prosecution," a statement read. "The agencies had been closed with a closure label on their doors by the Department of Economic Development."

The Ministry said that temporary accommodation has been arranged for the domestic workers at the violating agencies, adding that it has begun the process of transferring them to ministry-approved firms.

It did not name the agencies or provide any further information.

Authorities in the UAE have warned of a spate of scams in which foreign workers are hired under false pretences, according to Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Requiring applicants to pay to secure a prospective job or a visa, both illegal, are common scams, it noted. The ministry also warned legal action will be taken against companies that fail to follow the law.