UAE | Employment
Unskilled workers to be limited to six-year stay
A draft of the modified labour law includes an article that stipulates a maximum six-year stay for unskilled workers, according to an official.
- By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
Abu Dhabi: A draft of the modified labour law includes an article that stipulates a maximum six-year stay for unskilled workers, according to an official.
"The six-year maximum stay for expatriates in the GCC countries was shelved at GCC level but the UAE will go ahead with it, having an article in the new Labour Law to this effect," the official told Gulf News yesterday at the sidelines of the GCC undersecretaries meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Under the rule, unskilled foreign workers and domestic help will be allowed a maximum stay of six years in the country. It will be applicable to a total of two million unskilled workers.
"The UAE received an official document from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recognising the change of the workers' position from being immigrants to temporary contractual workers.
"This will allow the country to proceed with rules making the maximum stay of workers six years - an initial stay of three years to be renewed only once for a similar period," the official said.
The source explained that workers who complete six years in the country will have to leave but may return after two years on the same conditions.
Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, told Gulf News yesterday that a draft of the modified law had been finalised. Other amendments to the law include increasing maternity leave from 45 days to 60 days and an article authorising the Labour Minister to approve the setting up of trade unions. Also included is reducing the unpaid Haj (pilgrimage) leave from one month to three weeks and authorisation for introducing a two-day weekend for private sector workers.
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