Stricter enforcement of labour laws

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered a stricter enforcement of laws that protect the rights of labourers and domestic workers and improve their quality of life.

Shaikh Mohammad yesterday met Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, at Zabeel Palace and ordered him to take necessary action to address the issues of expatriate workers in the country and to ensure that significantly improved standards of health, safety and quality of life - in both their workplaces and living areas - are met.

He also instructed the minister to implement a medical insurance scheme that covers all grades of labourers and provides them with the same standards of health and medical care enjoyed by the rest of the community.

Shaikh Mohammad further instructed Dr Al Ka'abi to implement an effective mechanism that empowers workers whose salaries have been withheld for more than two months to receive what is rightfully theirs, as well as enable them to switch jobs with no obstacles, as long as they meet the criteria set by the UAE and the Ministry of Labour in this matter.

Shaikh Mohammad stressed the importance of implementing specific contracts between domestic workers and their employers that limit their working hours and grant them their full rights.

He ordered the establishment of a specialised court for dealing with labour complaints and mistreatment cases. He also ordered the establishment of a special inspection unit, situated within the Ministry of Labour, comprising 2,000 inspectors to monitor labour accommodation and workplaces. This unit's responsibility is to ensure that companies adhere to labour laws and their contracts so that the rights, security, health and safety of the workers are protected and their quality of life is improved.

Shaikh Mohammad also ordered an urgent study to be conducted to investigate the roles and capabilities of labour supply companies, and to make sure that they comply with laws. Specific focus will be placed on investigating the practice of abusing workers' rights in lieu of providing them with job opportunities.

Shaikh Mohammad stressed the fact that the UAE - both citizens and residents - will not accept any unjust treatment of workers or compromise of their dignity and basic human rights, reiterating that the teachings of Arab and Islamic culture are what mandate this.

He emphasised the severe consequences that will befall anyone caught violating these laws or proven to have blackmailed or abused labourers, and that they, and those that support them, will face the full force of the law.

The meeting was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority, and Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of The Executive Office.

Also attending the meeting were shaikhs and senior officials.