Workers could set up representative groups

Dubai: A proposal to give expatriate workers the right to establish representative groups is in the works and will be submitted to the Cabinet in December, said the Minister of Labour.

The announcement was made following the second and final consultative meeting, organised by the Ministry of Labour, to discuss means to regulate the labour market.

Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, said: "In order to make our country a pioneer we should set standards to every aspect of life.

"One of the main issue that needs to be discussed is the rights and protection of workers. The workers should have some form of representation to help protect their rights," said Al Ka'abi. There should be set standards and a defined mechanism for the protection of workers, he said.

A committee, including members from governmental bodies and experts, to discuss standards and a mechanism for labour representation was set up during the consultative meeting.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the Ministry of Labour by the end of November and the ministry will submit the proposal to the Cabinet in December.
Standards

However, these standards should be in line with the unique demographic nature of the country and therefore any proposal should take into consideration both national interests and international commitments, said Al Ka'abi.

"We are an odd country therefore we need to come out with odd solutions," said Al Ka'abi. The workers' representative groups will not be trade unions in its traditional form, he said.