Schnowzer,
The agency was used to source a suitable maid of which approx 4000 dhs was paid for that service which included bringing the maid to Dubai.
The maid is paid 200 US dollars directly, no agency involved.
Approximate cost of a maid sourced from an agency in the first year:
Agency fee: 4000 dhs
Visa fee: 5000 dhs
Health Card: 350 dhs
Toiletries: 1200 dhs
Flights: 2000 dhs
Total: 12550 dhs or 1046 dhs / 277 US Dollars without salary.
So in my friends case it costs him 477 US dollars per month in the first year reducing to 388 thereafter.
Based on schnowzers comment that most expats pay about 1200 Dhs, that would equate to 594 US dolllars per month or 2245 dhs for the first year going through an agency.
In the process of changing the IPEP to critical illness and personal accident which would cost approx 350 dhs per month.