Dubai: Any worker who has not been paid for more than two months has the right to change jobs without a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) even after receiving his dues, a senior official at the Ministry of Labour said on Thursday.
Humaid Bin Deemas, the acting Director-General of the ministry, said this at a press conference that was held after an open day event at the ministry's premises in Dubai.
"Workers who have not been paid for more than two months have the right to stay with the same company or choose to change jobs without the NOC.
"The rule is also applicable to those who have not been paid for the same duration of time but decided to cancel their work permits where they will have the six month ban, which is usually enforced by the ministry, lifted," he added.
The worker has the right to leave his employer without filing the required notice period if the company does not fulfil any of its commitments as stipulated in the employment contract.
Bin Deemas made the statements following a request by one employer to lift a block from a number of companies belonging to the same sponsor because he had delayed the salaries of some employees. The request was rejected.
The issuing of work permits for new employees is among services that are halted when a company's transactions are blocked by the ministry.
"How can we continue to grant work permits for new employees when the company is defaulting on paying salaries for the existing ones? It would be a double standard to do so," he said.
"Non-payment of salaries is a red line for us and it is one of the most serious violations companies can commit," added Bin Deemas.
Your comments
Very excellent decision by government of Dubai....
Mehmood Riaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 17:58
Good news!
Inayath
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 17:50
This is a good step from Dubai government. We highly appreciate your action.
Suren
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 17:49
We sincerely appreciate the efforts taken by the UAE ministry to protect the rights of the employees. However the MOL should abolish the six-month labour ban imposed on employees who quit a company after 1 year. Companies take undue advantage over employees by not issuing NOCs. A flexible labour law will help UAE attract the best talent around the world which in turn will help in development of the country.
Tommy
Bangalore,India
Posted: July 24, 2009, 17:29
It was a very good decision for those who suffer for two months only! But how about those employees who lose their job for the benifits of the company? Those who had been terminated to reduce the company's expenses. Unfortunately some companies don't give NOC to their terminated staff. Isn't it better to lift the ban for the benefit of the labours?
Maricris
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 17:10
This is right move for every worker. The Asian workers struggled a lot due to lack of salary, accommodation, food, etc. These are the real people who built Dubai till sky. A very good move and God bless Dubai.
Lerin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 16:56
Really a great move towards secularism and humanity. Three cheers for Mr Humaid.
Dawar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 16:53
This is a very good idea by the MOL. We hope and pray that this will be implemented as soon as possible so that everybody has the right to find another company which can help the individual needs. And most especially the labourers in which they are receiving only small amount and yet they are not paid in the right time...
Rezzgelle
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 16:24
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be really great if it is going to be implemented as per instructions... Thanks to UAE government. Secondly, is it applicable to each emirate of UAE? I have not been able to get my salary for the last 8 months...looking forward for happy future and career... Mumtaz Zaidi Sharjah,UAE
Mumtaz Zaidi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 16:23
Alas !! kudos to the authorities for thinking outside the box.. some of us used to think that labourers who are working out in this burning unbearable heat are not human beings. thanks for this rule.. keep up the good work. Lastly would also appreciate if the authorities can check all companies whether all employees are getting their salaries on time. Hope this would help.
Mr Mathew Litty
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 16:19
I love this decision. thanks to Labour Ministry UAE.
IMRAN
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 15:40
This is a great move by the UAE govt. Hats Off! Majority of the labours who are working here have come with a great vision to support their family back home by pledging or selling off their properties. They wait for the month end to get the salary to remit some to their respective families. But, if they are not paid on time, what would happen to their families. The UAE govt. has made a tremendous move by this rule and the blessings of all these labours and their families will be showered upon those who have taken this initiative. God bless all.
Jayanth Kumar Nair
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 15:33
This is an important decision. Thanks Ministry of Labour.
Abdulfatah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 15:01
This is a nice decision from MOL, but the Ministry should work on company site visit where labourers are working, and also check proper record of company account dept.
Afi Butt
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 14:20
wow...excellent decision...big vow for the UAE government. A great move by the Ministry of Labour.
Jay Mendoza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 14:16
This is a good step. I hope it will be implemented.
Abdullah
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 14:10
It's wonderful decision taken by the Dubai goverment and it helps employees to make their lives easy in Dubai and continues to do their family commitments also. The same time if government lift the six-month ban policy from all employees, those who completed their one year contract, it would help employees to find their brighter path and it would reduce employer's dominating powers on employees also.
Praveen Aakash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 14:08
Good move from MOL, but much better if they will lift the ban.
Drecko
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 14:02
A good move by the UAE government.
Azeem Kotwal
Mumbai,India
Posted: July 24, 2009, 13:46
Excelent news! Keep up the good work and thank you.
Jaime
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 13:27
Very good decision for the poor operatives and bad companies.
Rajan Sharma
Qatar,Qatar
Posted: July 24, 2009, 13:08
It is good. Thanks to the UAE government. Please also solve the issue of housemaids.
Mulu
Ajman,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 13:06
It is a wonderful decision taken by Dubai govenrnment.This will help to expatriates for their bright future.Thanks a lot for UAE ministry.
Shine
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:43
This is an execellent decisions which helps lot of workers to get their dues
Steven
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:34
Its a great move, but ministry should define the documentation/ Acceptable Proofs required for not getting paid. Also can employee can submit those document directly to ministry of emigration or first they have to file a case in ministry of labor
Parvez
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:28
excellent! You always have a tough ideas guys... Please continue your goodwill
Byron
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:24
great move!!! this move is a wake up call for the employers who are not paying the salaries on time, thanks to Humaid Bin Deemas.
rderick villareal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:24
Great decision by the ministry of labour. But as most of the labours in the construction field are not educated enough to be aware of these kinds of right moves from the labour ministry. Ministry may take further steps to make all the labours aware of such rules so that the ministry can ensure the rights as well as well being of labours to an extent.
Mohammad Ali. C.P
Ezhome moola,India
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:16
This decision will very helpful to those who are suffering like same condition. sure they must happy of this decision.
Ahmad Rifaye
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 12:01
Yeah, very good move...great... why do we have to be under the mercy of the employer? People should have the right to change jobs anytime anywhere. There was a law that says companies can't keep employees passports, but some companies do not abide by this..
Aiman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 11:30
Fair enough. I hope such kind of move in the right direction for every body will continue
Aldo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 11:26
Excellent.please concentrate on house rents of Abu dhabi to reduce.
Jagan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 11:02
This is very very verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry appreciative step of the UAE government. God bless all those who make such decision. HAYAKUMULLAH KHAIR
SalIm Bangash
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:41
I hope that this would really be enforced. As a worker here in Dubai, I've experienced this with my past employer. He was always delayed with the salary to the point that all of us are borrowing money from friends or having our parents send us money instead of us supporting them. Some company owners are too selfish thinking about how their business is going to survive but are not thinking about their workers welfare.
Maria
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:34
It's very right and fair decision. Thanks to MOL. I just hope it won't end up in just press release.
Roberto Fajardo
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:31
The Ministry of Labour has taken an excellent decision by allowing workers not paid salary for more than two months to change jobs without an NOC. It is sad when salary is not paid to a worker after he has put in a month long effort for the company. Also, it is surprising why a company would want more work permits if they are not in a position to pay salary to the already employed workers. Are companies trying to take advantage of the economic recession by terminating existing workers and employing new workers for lesser pay? Due to the downfall in the job market and terminations many people are looking for jobs and are ready to work for a lower salary. In such a situation wouldn't it be profitable for a company to lay off previous workers and bring in new workers for lesser salaries? By refusing work permits for companies who have defaulted on paying salaries for existing workers, the ministry has once again shown that workers have rights and they hold an important place in this country.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:29
This is something fair.
Nomaan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:13
The ministry's decision is really appreciated.
Rashid
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 09:50
This is very good for poor workers. This is good for me because my company sent me back to my home country for 6 month's leave as they have no work. Now I can come back and find the job. zahid
Zahid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 09:48
Very good. Please try to help us with such rules.
Allano
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 09:33
This is a very nice rule by the ministry to impose immediately. It should also do something to the companies delaying salaries of staff.
Mon Hidalgo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 09:23
This is a landmark decision. By doing so, the Ministry of Labour has reinstated the confidence among those large pool of resources who are otherwise at the receiving end. One can see a lot of positive changes taking shape in UAE and this decision will definitely add value to the changes.
Satish Kumar Nair
Mumbai,India
Posted: July 24, 2009, 08:57
Well done Ministry of Labour for your actions to the employers who do not care about their employees. I also have a case like this but instead of the salary, our overtime is 5 months delayed. We are all helpless.
Anthony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 08:54
It is good decision by the goverment, as there are so many firms not paying the salary on time to employees. I got so many friends who haven't received their salary from last two months.
Satish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 08:44
HIGHLY APPRECIATED!
Mehboob
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 08:19
That is a wise decision from the ministry. The logic of avoiding double standards is meaningful.
Rijoe Thomas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 07:58
It's great move from the Ministry. I am working almost ten years as PRO. Based on my experience I found that most violations are created by companies supplying manpower because they are not paying the recruits on time. When the inspector from the Labour Ministry visits the site, and if he finds any violation, he would charge the main contractor so the recruitment agencies can easily escape.
Abdul Rafeek
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 07:41
Yes it is a good step forward towards this kind of a problem. I would say if the companies are not willing to pay the workers, then why work for them? I would like to stay anonymous.
A reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 04:59
Tthis is one of the best and right decisions taken against employers who fail to pay their workers.
Mohammad Hussain
London,UK
Posted: July 24, 2009, 02:52
GR8888888888888!!! I LOVE YOU UAE......
UZAIR
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 02:08
Why two months, if a company doesn't pay for 1 month, employee should be able to switch job legally. Even if an employee got an offer more than what his employer is paying, and if his/her current employer is not willing to give him that much money, he should be allowed to change the job without NOC.
Shaheryar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 01:17
This is another good move by the government of Dubai to protect labours. But still there are many people who are working without salary for a very long time. My opinion is that there should be some transparent way to transfer salary to the employees. That could be either by bank or through some responsible agencies. Some companies take signature from the workers before the salary date, this should not be allowed. Most of the workers don't know their rights and not able to express their feelings. They were compressed with company polices, or else they might lose their jobs. The authorities should see to it that nobody should work without getting their salary on time.
Mathew M J
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2009, 00:47
