Dubai: Workers who protest without a valid reason face deportation, said Dr Ali Bin Abduallah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, at a press conference yesterday.

The Ministry of Labour recognises three legal reasons for protests - the number of which have increased over the past 12 months.

According to Dr Al Ka'abi workers can legally protest over unpaid wages, poor living conditions and the lack of safety procedures.

Click here to have your say on the issue

"Workers who protest for reasons that do not fall into these categories are violating the law and are jeopardising their stay in the country," said Dr Al Ka'abi.

He added that workers had to respect the contract they signed and the ministry will not tolerate any violations.
 
No alternative

However, Dr Al Ka'abi said the UAE had to value the expatriate labour force that has helped in building the country.

"While Dr Al Ka'abi agreed the UAE faced labour problems, he said they were minor compared to other countries.

"The protest rate is only 0.04 per cent as there are only some 30 companies out of 250,000 that have problems with their workers," he said.

Workers who spoke to Gulf News said they were well aware of the deportation rule.

"We come to the UAE to work and not to create trouble, but at times when we are left with no alternative, protests are held. But I do not agree with some workers carrying out violent protests. They should understand such actions will not be tolerated anywhere in the world and there could be repercussions," said Guddapally Shiva, an Indian construction worker.

"Most of us are illiterate and do not understand where, when and how to approach the authorities. We only go to our company managers. When they do not lend us an ear, protests are held. If they hear us out why should there be any protests. If we do our job on time, we expect to be paid on time," said Murtaza, a Bangladeshi worker.

ACTIONS
On the rise

Statistics cover Dubai and the northern emirates: 24 protests involving 7,355 workers

January-September

  • 5,460 workers at 15 companies
  • 14 protests: unpaid wages
  • 3 protests: accommodation
  • 2 protests: long working hours
  • 1 protest: to demand equal pay between nationalities
  • 1 protest: overtime

October:
 
4 protests: unpaid wages involving 80 workers on same day

1 protest: better conditions involving 200 workers

November:

  • 3 protests: involving 1,350 workers

December:

  • 2 protests: involving more than 200 workers

- Source: Labour Ministry figures given to Gulf News for January to September, and GN reports from October to December

January to July 2006

  • About 39 protests reported by Gulf News