Dubai: Young residents, under the sponsorship of their parents or universities, can undertake part-time work, the Labour Minister told Gulf News.
Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, has issued a decision that allows people from the age of 16 to undertake part-time job in the country.
"The decision aims to protect young people's rights and give them the opportunity to acquire labour market experience at an early age," said Al Ka'abi.
Earlier young expatriates, below 18 were not allowed to work in the country.
A part-time labour card also gives an opportunity to university students to get work experience before graduating, he added.
"Young people can now acquire a job if they meet the legal requirements, but they cannot work full-time until they reach 18," said Al Ka'abi.
The new decision stipulates that teenagers will be allowed to work for a total period of six hours and in all types of work except jobs where they are exposed to dangers or face the risk of harming their health.
Expatriate teenagers, who wish to join a job, will have to apply for a labour card at the ministry after getting their parents' approval.
"Legalising their employment will help the ministry to monitor violations closely and will ensure that teenagers work in a healthy atmosphere and under the supervision of their parents," said Al Ka'abi, adding that the decision will shortly be applied across the country after the ministry's system is updated to accept labour card for children at the age of 16.
Some types of jobs that are categorised as dangerous for health and in which child employment is prohibited (ministerial order No.5/1, 1981):
- Work in mines and quarries
- Work where ovens are used for melting mineral substances
- Petroleum refining
- Bakery ovens
- Cement, ice-making and refrigerating plants
- Mirror silvering with mercury
- Explosives industry
- Glass melting and blowing
- Arc welding
- Painting
- Treatment and preparation or warehousing of ashes containing lead and extracting silver from lead
- Making of tin (pewter) and metallic compositions containing more that 10 per cent lead
- Making of prime oxide of lead (silicon), carbon oxide of lead, the orange lead, sulphates, chromate and silicates of lead
- Operations involving mixing and preparation for repair of batteries
- Operating or supervising operating machines or repairing or cleaning such machines while these are working
- Asphalt work
- Oil pressing by mechanical devices
- Work involving fertilisers, metallic acids, laboratories and chemical products
- Work in tanneries
- Rubber industry
- Work in factories for fitting cylinders with pressed gases
- Loading and unloading merchandise
- Coal works when coal is made of animals bones but not the operation of separating bones before such bones are burnt
- Operations involving bleaching, dying and printing textiles
- Carrying heavy loads
- Work in public bars
Your comments
Good move but the government should ensure the security of the youngsters in their work environment.
From Vinu
Dubai
UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 17:09
This is simply amazing. I had applied for a job last year but was rejected because of my age. I guess this year I will be more lucky.
From Ayaz
Sharjah
U.A.E
Posted: January 03, 2008, 16:59
It is a nice move. The youngsters will get a chance to know how to be responsible in future.
Maha
Ajman,UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 15:34
I think this is a great opportunity for young adults as it will allow them to help their families and themselves. But I think the working hours should be minimised as they need to balance study and work. The young job-seekers should have a say in deciding their working hours. It is a great move!
Amna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 15:06
This is a good move by the government. It will motivate youngsters to start earning. This is a good opportunity for college goers. It will open up chances for youngsters to acquire skills at the right time.
Ganapathi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 14:22
Wow! This is amazing; I can now take up part-time jobs and earn my allowance. Now excuse me for I need to go and find myself a job. Always wanted to say that.
Rami
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 11:49
