Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Labour (MOL) has launched a new unit which will focus on combating human trafficking.
The move is in line with the ministry's efforts to promote a stable labour market based on the rule of law, extending protection to the respective legitimate rights and interests of employers and workers and deploying the appropriate administrative and enforcement tools to this end.
The fledging anti-human trafficking section will operate under the MOL's Inspection Division and be responsible for developing indicators that identify potential labour trafficking activity. It will monitor compliance with current laws and regulations governing contracts for employment.
‘Pre-emptive'
Calling it a "pre-emptive strategic initiative", Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, emphasised the important role that is expected to be played by the Combating Human Trafficking Unit in strengthening stability in the labour market, which reaffirms the commitment of the ministry duties towards all parties, and establishes the role and status of the leading country in this area.
"The UAE Ministry of Labour firmly believes that human trafficking represents a threat to the welfare and security of our society and national economy and, consequently, to the proper functioning of our labour market. It threatens the interests of workers and employers alike; that is why we acted to establish a dedicated section in accordance with the federal government's strategy, in coordination and full cooperation with the concerned authorities in the State, especially the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking," added Gobash.
The new section will contribute to the preparation of reports and producing draft legislation to combat labour trafficking to complement existing laws, and coordinate with judicial and law enforcement agencies to develop effective tools to monitor and prosecute cases that may be classified under criminal human trafficking.
The Ministry of Labour is committed to extending full protection under the law to all workers in the UAE and is actively engaged with partner countries of origin in developing a set of standards and best practices that will inform the drafting of a regional framework of collaboration on the administration of the contractual employment cycle, as per the recommendations of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue between Asian countries of labour origin and destination.
"We are working on developing our inspection mechanisms to become more effective in following up the conditions of workers and to identify irregularities," said Gobash. The minister yesterday met with Bangladesh Minister for Labour and Expatriate Welfare Khandker Musharaf Hussain. They discussed ways for strengthening cooperation between UAE and Bangladesh.
