Housekeeping / Cleaner Recruitment in UAE: Salary, Duties and Eligibility Explained

Housekeeping and cleaner jobs in the UAE are always in high demand because hotels, malls, offices and residential buildings operate every day and need regular cleaning staff. These roles are ideal for freshers and low‑qualified workers who want to start a career abroad and later grow into senior cleaner, team leader or housekeeping supervisor positions. This guide explains the typical salary, daily duties and basic eligibility for housekeeping / cleaner recruitment in the UAE.

Note: Exact salary and benefits depend on the company, emirate and your experience. Always read your official offer letter and contract carefully before accepting any job.

Salary Structure for Housekeeping / Cleaner Jobs in UAE

The pay structure usually includes a basic salary plus benefits like accommodation, transport and sometimes food. Many companies also pay overtime according to UAE labour law.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Housekeeping and cleaner work looks simple from outside, but it requires discipline, speed and quality. The exact duties change slightly depending on whether you work in a hotel, office, mall, hospital or residential building.

Typical daily tasks

Common responsibilities for a housekeeping / cleaner role include:

• Sweeping, mopping or vacuuming floors

• Cleaning toilets, wash basins, mirrors and bathroom floors

• Dusting furniture, doors, windows, handrails and other surfaces

• Collecting garbage and disposing it in the right place

• Cleaning glass doors, windows and partitions

• Keeping pantry or kitchen areas clean and hygienic

• In hotels: making beds, changing linen, refilling room amenities, tidying guest rooms

• Keeping public areas like lobbies, corridors and lifts clean and presentable

In hospitals and clinics, cleaners must follow strict hygiene and infection‑control rules, such as using separate cloths, colour‑coded tools and proper disinfectants. In offices and malls, the focus is more on appearance, smell control and quick spot cleaning in busy areas.

Work environment and shifts

Most housekeeping / cleaner jobs in the UAE involve:

• Duty hours of about 9–12 hours per day

• Often 6 days of work and 1 day off per week

• Morning, afternoon or night shifts depending on the site

Common workplaces include:

• Hotels and resorts

• Residential building complexes

• Hospitals and clinics

• Shopping malls and supermarkets

• Corporate offices and banks

• Airports and public facilities

Work is mostly indoors, but sometimes there are outdoor duties such as cleaning entrances, parking areas or smoking zones. The job is physically demanding because it involves standing, walking, bending and lifting for long periods.

Eligibility Criteria

You do not need a high level of education for most housekeeping / cleaner positions, but there are some basic requirements.

Education

• Usually 8th or 10th pass is sufficient

• Some companies accept even lower schooling if the candidate is physically fit and willing to learn

• Basic English reading or speaking is helpful, but not always compulsory

Four‑ and five‑star hotels may prefer workers with better English for guest‑facing roles like room attendants and public area attendants.

Age and gender

• Typical preferred age range is around 21–40 years

• Male cleaners: often assigned to buildings, malls, outdoor or heavy work

• Female cleaners / maids: often work in houses, hospitals, ladies’ areas or hotel rooms

Exact age and gender requirements depend on the employer and the country’s local rules.

Experience

• Freshers can apply, especially through overseas recruitment batches

• Previous experience in housekeeping, hotels, hospitals or cleaning companies is an advantage

• Candidates with experience may receive higher salary and can be shortlisted for senior roles more easily

Medical fitness

A medical test is compulsory for work visas in the UAE. Because cleaning work is physically demanding, companies usually look for:

• Good general physical fitness

• No serious back, leg or chronic health problems

• No contagious diseases

Employers normally provide uniforms and safety gear such as gloves, masks and safety shoes. Workers are expected to wear them properly during duty.

Skills Required

In housekeeping work, your habits and work attitude are more important than your school degree.

Key skills include:

• Time management: finishing assigned areas within the given time

• Attention to detail: noticing corners, edges, glass marks, stains and smells

• Discipline: coming on time, maintaining a clean uniform, following supervisor instructions

• Teamwork: cooperating with other cleaners and supervisors

• Basic communication: understanding simple English or Arabic instructions and responding politely

• Hygiene awareness: using chemicals safely and maintaining personal cleanliness

Hard‑working and honest cleaners can get promoted to senior cleaner, team leader or housekeeping supervisor over time.

Recruitment Process: How Hiring Usually Works

Housekeeping / cleaner recruitment for the UAE generally happens in two ways: through overseas manpower agencies or through direct company hiring.

Through manpower agencies

• Overseas job agencies collect requirements for a batch of cleaners (for example, 20–50 positions)

• Shortlisted candidates may attend a simple trade test or interview (cleaning demo, basic questions)

• Selected workers receive an offer letter with clear details on salary, duty hours, accommodation and other benefits

• Visa processing, medical tests and air tickets are arranged as per the agreement (sometimes company‑paid, sometimes shared cost)

Always choose a registered, genuine agency. Avoid fake agents, never pay large amounts in cash without receipt and make sure you receive a written contract before travelling.

Direct company recruitment

Some large hotel chains, hospitals and facility management companies hire directly through:

• Their official career websites

• Major job portals

• Walk‑in interviews advertised online or in newspapers

The process usually includes online application, CV shortlisting and then a phone or video interview. Direct recruitment often means less or no agent commission, but competition can be higher.

Documents Generally Required

For housekeeping / cleaner jobs in the UAE, you normally need:

• A valid passport with enough validity (at least 6 months recommended)

• Recent passport‑size photographs (white background)

• Educational certificate for your last completed class, if available

• Experience certificates from previous employers, if any

• An updated CV showing your duties and work history

• Medical test reports as part of visa processing

Some employers also ask for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), especially for hospital and large hotel jobs.

Career Growth and Future Opportunities

Many people think cleaner jobs have no growth, but in large UAE companies and hotel groups there is a clear promotion path:

• Cleaner / Room Attendant

• Senior Cleaner / Public Area Attendant

• Team Leader / Housekeeping In‑Charge

• Housekeeping Supervisor

• With extra qualifications and strong English: Assistant Housekeeping Manager in hotels

If you improve your English, learn basic computer skills and show 3–5 years of stable work experience, it becomes much easier to move into higher‑paying roles in the same field or related areas like retail, front office support or customer service. UAE experience is also valued if you return to India or another country and apply in big hotels, hospitals or corporate facilities.

Practical Tips for Candidates

• Read your offer letter carefully: check salary, duty hours, overtime, accommodation and food clearly.

• If you are going on a visit visa to search for a job, keep enough savings for at least 2–3 months. A cleaner job is not guaranteed immediately.

• Take care of your health: long shifts, changing temperatures (AC indoors, heat outdoors) and chemical use can be tiring.

• Work on your basic English: even simple sentences will help you follow instructions and talk politely to supervisors and guests.

If you use housekeeping / cleaner roles as a starting point and treat them as a stepping stone, you can build a stable career in the UAE. After 2–3 years, you can plan to move into senior cleaning, housekeeping supervision, or even shift to other customer‑facing jobs once your language and experience improve.