UAE | Government
UAE committed to workers' rights
Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Labour Minister, said in Geneva the UAE was keen to cooperate with the international community and abide by its commitments, but the country needs to keep in mind its demographic nature.
- Staff Report
- Published: 00:03 June 12, 2008
Dubai: The UAE on Wednesday said it was committed to the protection of labour rights, WAM reported.
Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Labour Minister, said in Geneva the UAE was keen to cooperate with the international community and abide by its commitments, but the country needs to keep in mind its demographic nature.
Saqr Gobash had a meeting with senior officials of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the sidelines of the organisation's 97th annual meeting.
The officials urged the UAE to ratify two international conventions on labour unions and collective bargaining. Saqr Gobash said the UAE needs to keep in mind its unique demographic nature.
The UAE, where the majority of workers are foreigners, has signed six out of eight international labour conventions, including prohibitions on child labour, the prohibition of forced labour, equal pay for men and women and the prohibition of discrimination in hiring.
ILO officials hailed the UAE's ratification of the declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work.
The UAE minister and his delegation participated in a meeting of labour ministers of Asia and Oceania on Monday in Geneva.
A number of pertinent issues were discussed at the conference, including employment rights and the world food crisis.
Gobash held a series of bilateral meetings with a number of ministers and senior officials of the ILO.
He met with Syrian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Diyala Alhaj Arif, Pakistan's Deputy Minister of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Asif Hayat, and members of his country's delegation.
Gobash will also lead the UAE delegation to Expo Zaragoza 2008, which will take place tomorrow and Saturday in Spain.
The UAE is participating at the event in response to an invitation to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan by King Juan Carlos of Spain.
"The UAE's participation is therefore in line with the directives of Shaikh Khalifa. It also follows on the decision of the UAE's Ministerial Council for Services to showcase the country's efforts in the areas of renewable energy and green cities," Gobash said in a statement to WAM.
Share this article
More from UAE Government
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Kuwaiti Emir invites Khalifa to Arab summit
- UAE Haj pilgrims safe and well: official
- Briton loses libel case against newspaper
- Masafi Village to get first sewage treatment plant
- Activities lined up for Eid holidays in Dubai parks
- Doctors urge residents to observe safety first
- Parking, Metro, telecom offers during holidays
- Malaysian woman jailed for forging cards
- Schools mark National Day with shows
- Database launched to help combat infectious diseases
- Munching on a health hazard
- National day celebrations held in Dubai
- Wise spenders shop way ahead of festivities
- Wag a tail
- SAT wiz: Top of the class
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
