Business | Opinion
Gulf expatriate workers are not a neglected lot
Some countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have witnessed a wave of protests by expatriate workers for non-payment of salaries, or difficult working conditions.
- By Dr Mohammad Al Asoomi, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:07 August 7, 2008
Some countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have witnessed a wave of protests by expatriate workers for non-payment of salaries, or difficult working conditions.
These protests gained the special attention of the foreign media, which negatively portrayed the condition of expatriate workers in these countries.
The foreign media should have been more objective in reporting such news. They should have conveyed the opinions of all parties involved, particularly as the issue concerns people and is multi-faceted.
Anyone who has followed the condition of labourers in GCC countries over the past decade will notice that much progress has been achieved, and working conditions have improved.
Many decisions have been taken to the advantage of workers, such as the compulsory midday break for outdoor workers in July and August.
Many companies have been fined for violating the rule issued by GCC labour ministries.
Moreover, salaries have increased in the wake of soaring inflation in the past two years. This is an unprecedented move in some GCC countries, where salary increases used to be confined to GCC nationals.
A significant change in housing and transport has taken place. Buses have replaced the trucks originally used to transport workers from work sites to accommodations. Housing compounds are equipped with air-conditioning. Workers also have access to health facilities.
Some GCC countries, like the UAE, are setting up air-conditioned public transport stations to protect users from harsh weather conditions.
These improvements are not a response to labour strikes, but are local initiatives stemming from official and public sympathy towards foreign workers.
Such positive developments are sometimes offset by the practices of some companies, which have no consideration for the law. Their violations include delaying salary payments, breaking the midday rest rule and breaching the terms of employment contracts.
Violations
These violations are certainly not acceptable to the concerned labour ministries, official bodies and GCC citizens. This is evident through the punishments imposed on the errant companies.
In any case, a serious stand to tackle this problem is needed.
Sincere efforts to improve the condition of foreign workers, accompanied by popular support, are clashing with the unfair practices adopted by some local companies.
This is counter-productive to official endeavours that aim to enhance social peace and safeguard the rights of workers.
In an opinion poll conducted recently by a foreign institution, the mainly foreign participants ranked the UAE as the world's second-best place for expatriates to live.
Addressing labour problems seriously aims to avoid the dangers that may result from unfair practices adopted by private companies, which do not consider the sensitivity of the issue.
A firm stand by GCC countries will block the attempts of those who want to harm their interests. It will also safeguard the rights of foreign workers who have been contributing to the development of these countries.
Supporting positive initiatives and tackling negatives is not only possible, but undelayable, especially that it is accepted by all influential parties in official and unofficial GCC societies, due to their conviction in the economic and social outcome of a homogeneous community.
The writer is a UAE economic expert.
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