UAE | Government

Businessmen urge labour ministry to amend employment policies

Government entities and businessmen have called on the Ministry of Labour to amend certain policies to help curb illegal employment, as a measure to stave off the effects of the financial crisis on the labour market.

  • By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:27 November 27, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Government entities and businessmen have called on the Ministry of Labour to amend certain policies to help curb illegal employment, as a measure to stave off the effects of the financial crisis on the labour market.

The calls were made during a seminar held yesterday by the Ministry of Labour under the title 'hand in hand against illegals' which was attended by officials from Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), the public prosecution, Ministry of Justice and businessmen.

Dr Ahmad Bel Hasa, chairman of the UAE contracting association, said that he is expecting a surplus of manpower with some developers and contracting companies. This might stop some projects and require a cut to the labour force due to the current financial crisis, he said, and requested that the Ministry of Labour amend its policies to facilitate their transfer to other companies.

"The Ministry must amend the rules of recruiting labourers and transfer of sponsorship in such critical situation and to avoid the increase of illegal employment," said Bel Hasa.

Ahmad Al Mulla, Chief of Sharjah's Appeal Court, said he is expecting an increase in the number of labour cases referred to the court soon, due to the current crisis.

Punishments

"We should expect an increase in labour cases during this period as many companies will be forced to cut their workforce," said Al Mulla. He added that illegal unemployment could not be tackled by enforcing stricter punishments on violators alone, but that a review of recruitment policies is also vital.

Stricter rules were issued in November 2007, which stipulate that anyone who employs illegal workers and infiltrators or gives them shelter will face a fine of Dh50,000 per person. A jail term and penalty is imposed if the crime is repeated.

The Ministry of Labour has referred 330 companies to court for hiring illegal workers, with some 618 people caught working illegally for these companies, according to Ministry statistics. Moreover, the ministry has also recently referred the owner of ten fake companies to court in its effort to curb illegal employment.

"There is a need to review recruitment policies and rules governing the movement of the labour force in the market to curb illegal employment and protect workers' rights," said Humaid Bin Deemas, Acting Director General at the Ministry.

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director of DNRD, said that it is important to remember that many illegal workers are victims.

"Each one of us has the right to pursue his dreams in life and many workers come to our country to realise their dreams but instead fall victim for certain groups who try to exploit them to maximise their profits so we need to address the reasons behind their violations," said Al Merri.

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