Delhi mandates licences for domestic worker agencies within 15 days

Delhi has ordered private placement agencies supplying domestic workers to register within 15 days. The move strengthens safeguards against exploitation and exposes violators to penalties and prosecution.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewdelhi,Oct 31, 2026 14:10 ISTThe Delhi government has made registration compulsory for all private placement agencies providing domestic workers and warned that violations could attract a penalty of Rs 50,000, officials told news agency Press Trust of India.Under a public notice issued by the labour department, every such agency must register on the e-District portal and obtain a licence within 15 days. Applications must include police verification of both the domestic worker and the employer.“Non-compliance of the provisions of executive order dated September 25, 2014 will attract penalty of Rs 50,000 (recoverable as arrears of land revenue), cancellation of registration and licence, and prosecution,” the official order said.The 2014 executive order was issued by the labour department to regulate private placement agencies, according to a Delhi High Court order. The labour department subsequently notified the Delhi Private Placement Agencies (Regulation) Order in compliance with the court's directions. A standard operating procedure was also approved in 2020. The notice asked all private placement agencies to secure registration and licences immediately and stop operating without them. It also directed agencies to follow the standard operating procedures to avoid legal action.Employers hiring domestic workers have been advised to use registered agencies. They should verify an agency's registration and licence and insist on police verification of workers before hiring them, the notice said. The Delhi High Court has also directed the government to prevent the exploitation of domestic workers employed through private placement agencies in the city. The executive order defines a domestic worker as a person aged 18 or above who is engaged in domestic work through such an agency.According to the notice, a private placement agency refers to any individual or organisation, excluding government agencies, that provides domestic workers to homes. The order sets out their working conditions and placement procedures and requires payments to domestic workers to be made through bank accounts.The order also gives the Child Welfare Committee and the Delhi Commission for Women powers to adjudicate matters concerning the employment of women and children as domestic help. Overall, agencies must register and obtain licences, while employers have been advised to verify agencies and workers before hiring domestic help.- Ends