Abu Dhabi: The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation yesterday affirmed their commitment to protect the rights and welfare of workers at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum site on Saadiyat Island.
In a statement, carried by WAM, TDIC and the Foundation said: "The rights and benefits will be guaranteed to all employees and necessary policies and procedures have been put in place."
The TDIC's Employment Practices Policy (EPP) sets out workers' rights and employment practices and standards which are being applied at the museum site and across all TDIC projects.
"TDIC is working closely with UAE government agencies and other relevant UAE bodies on labour issues and is committed to ensuring that all contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum are contractually bound to comply with the EPP and UAE laws," the statement said.
In addition to a modern Construction Village, built "to model international standards", a dedicated contact centre "will provide a confidential service to all employees to obtain information, to escalate work-related issues" and lodge complaints, the statement said, adding that contractors would not withhold passports of any employees.
Clear policy
The statement added that: "The contractor shall pay electronically each employee's wages, benefits and dues at least once per month, and without delay, in accordance with the Wage Protection System Guide [the WPS] stipulated by the Ministry of Labour."
Other policies detailed include working hours, a weekly day off, and annual leave.
New York-based Human Rights Watch welcomed the commitment by the Guggenheim and TDIC to protect the rights of workers but asked for clarifications in some areas.
"The Guggenheim's public announcement [on Tuesday] is an important affirmation of the private sector's role in protecting worker rights," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Whatever the good intentions of the parties, there needs to be a mechanism that will independently monitor labour conditions on the ground."
