Have your say: Minimum wage

Do you think there should be a minimum wage for all workers in the UAE? If so, why? And how much should it be?

• Gulf News Web Report
• Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
• 

Government officials say that labour problems in the UAE are slowly being resolved, although there are still some protests over unpaid or low wages.

Dr Khalid Al Khazraji, labour undersecretary also said that the government was not considering introducing a minimum wage for construction workers.

Do you think there should be a minimum wage for workers? If so, why? And how much should it be?

Thank you for your response. This topic is now closed. No more emails will be published on this page. A selection of your comments are featured below.

Article continues below

A step in the wrong direction
The UAE's astonishing boom will slow down if the government begins to introduce the kind of interventionist and socialist measures that are suffocating economic progress here in Europe. It is sad to read so many comments praising this welfarist measure instead of criticizing it. Sometimes you view the West as a model because of its supposed "social conquests" and don?t realize that often you are the model. The Welfare State is a burden for all, not a blessing for "the working class". Paternalism and democratic-socialism is not the future, you are: a free market with no taxes and oppressive regulations impeding entreperneurship and voluntary exchanges. Do you think a minimum wage law will bring benefits to workers? In the West this and other labour regulations reduce business opportunities and lead to rates of unemployment over 10%. It restricts the freedom of contract and it's a step toward a wrong direction.
Albert Esplugas
Spain
 
Have respect
It has become a necessity in UAE to start implementing such rules. There are many people I know who have not got their pay for the last three months. This has de-motivated them beyond repair. Though the topic is of minimum wages, I feel that the primary objective should be to have a body formed which would look into these matters.

There has to be a minimum wage policy for every one in a country and that to according to the world markets. This creates gateways for the best talents to flow into the country and benefit the nation and the individual. Though minimum wages would take a decade to get implemented, the government should see to it that at least the labourers are provided with this option ASAP. We should have immense respect for these labourers cause the paper you are reading or the computer screen u are viewing this article from has been developed by these very God?s men.
Hemant
Sharjah

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• Letters To The Editor - May 3, 2006

Toiling hard
I strongly support the idea of minimum wage law and also would like to see some way of actually implementing it and making sure that it is followed. The growth of UAE is thanks to the physical labourers who have toiled hard in extreme conditions to bring it to the status where it stands today in this world. There has to be some action taken to stop the increasing gap between rich and poor, as that can ruin any society and any good economic system should try to cater to all the residents of the country to keep a sense of belonging and harmony. 
Nasir
by Email

Be courteous
The UAE has been growing over the last 20 years and made a mark for itself in the field of construction and infrastructure. This all would not be possible without the hard work of labour. The UAE authorities should be courteous to understand the condition of the labourers.
Asma Ahmedi
by Email

Less cheating
If there was a minimum fixed wage there would be less chance of workers being cheated. And it also helps in reducing/controlling the amount of illegal construction workers.
Sudhakar
By email

Labourers are human beings too
Can't people see labourers are being treated cruelly? They were able to see the cruelty being done to small children in the camel race jockey case. Aren't labourers human beings?
Salam
By email

Not in my life-time
The introduction of a minimum wage in the Middle East would be an ideal situation BUT I do not believe this will happen - not in my life time. I think the selfishness of businesses and the greed for profit will prevail. For Dubai to keep growing and attract big business, it needs to keep the underprivileged as is, its sad but true. For the sake of all workers in the UAE I do hope minimum wage is put in place.
Shane
By email

Building the dream
The UAE has seen tremendous growth over the last 15 years. I remember what UAE used to look like about two decades ago and how it has come up. This all would not be possible if it had not been the low paid workers who burned their skins in the scorching sun to give UAE the shape that it currently is. The UAE authorities should be courteous enough to increase the pay of the workers. They should not ignore that while they made all the plans and strategies it was the workers who made their dream come true. My request is to have a minimum wage for all the workers and also give them hygienic accomodation to live in.
Khurram
by Email

Backbone of nation
It's high time the UAE came up with a minimum wage policy. Construction workers are the backbone of any nation. It is their sweat and endless hours of hardcore labour work that has produced these glittering, sparkling towers all over the UAE. Dubai wants to project itself globally and internationally but this cannot be achieved at the plight of these construction workers who are here just to make the ends meet. Dubai is in the process of constructing a tallest tower, biggest mall, largest hotel chains but what about these small workers?
Soni
Dubai

Sad fact
Even though we the expatriate community in Dubai are sure that no changes in the pay structure is going to happen just because of our emails, we strongly support the effort of Gulf News for its effort to put forward our views regarding the same. It's a very sad fact that the government, when concentrating on construction of high rise buildings, shopping malls and metro rails are giving too little importance to the uplifting of the low to middle income and low income groups. 
Aneesh
Dubai

Deserved benefits
There should be a standard minimum wage for every labourer in the UAE. With the rising expenses here, labourers should be given a minimum salary of Dh1,200, with accommodation, complete health insurance and paid leave. These people deserve these benefitts because they work under extreme conditions.
Ahmed
By e-mail    

Living problems
A minimum wage rule would be a very good decision because most of the workers here are facing a lot of problems regarding their living conditions. The minimum wage should be at least Dh1,500 for anyone to cope with the increasing cost of living.
Mousmi
Abu Dhabi

Avoiding protests
Introducing a minimum wage law would help avoid frequent labour protests. The minimum wage for workers should not be less than Dh1,000, plus accommodation.
Shihabuddin
By e-mail

Take the initiative
Through media and in real life, we come across many cases of workers in Dubai who are being underpaid or unpaid for their work. It is unfair. Some of these people work here in hopes to repay their debts but recieve salaries that are less than what was promised to them when they were recruited in their home countries. A minimum wage rule would be highly helpful to these workers. The government must also take the initiative to enforce the law.
George
Sharjah

Unfair
Minimum wage should be increased as rents here in Dubai are unregulated. The cost of living has become a nightmare for low to middle income expats who are treated unfairly most of the time.
Mon and Arlyn
Dubai

High expenses
The minimum salary should be set according to the national GDP. The UAE national GDP is high but the per hour income in comparison is negligible. The minimum salary should not be less than Dh3,000 because the living expenses in UAE are very high and there is gradual inflation.
Hussain
By email

Discuss the wages
In five decades Dubai has mushroomed from a small town to a gridlocked metropolis. Labourers worked hard and poured their sweat into Dubai's development. Government and private traders and should discuss wages. The labour ministry should make the minimum wage of at least Dh1000 a month. Companies which refuse this should not be given permission to operate. How can an immigrant labourer who makes a mere Dh400 per month expect to lead a normal life? Out of this sum he must pay for food and medical expenses and use money for telephone calls to speak to family. What money he can send home to feed children and elderly parents?
Chandu
London

Help the helpless
It would be good to set a minimum wage for lower level workers. They are the one who are exploited by others. Qualified people can choose their jobs. But the workers are helpless. They come to this country leaving relatives and dependants behind, looking for a better life, but will perish here in the present conditions. Please be reasonable to them.
Gopakumar
By email

Underpaid
There should be a minimum wage for workers to protect them in situations where they are "overworked and underpaid." I think it would be fair enough if the ministry of labour implemented a minimum wage to protect workers from abusive employers. There are some companies that do not give a fair salary or compensation to their employees. A minimum wage would determine that an employee is entitled to receive a certain amount and no less than that.
Tasneem
By email

There should definitely be a minimum salary for certain professional staff as well as unskilled workers. In private schools there is three and a half months vacation. Without pay it is difficult to bear expenses and tackle the high cost of living. The concerned authority should look into this matter.
Anita
Dubai

It is high time that there were fixed minimum wages in the UAE. If not for everyone than at least for the labourers who work in the construction industry. These labourers work so hard and ninety per cent of them either do not get paid on time or are very much under paid. Their living conditions are quite pathetic. I feel very strongly that, a minimum of Dh 1000 should be fixed for 8 hours of work and all additional work should be paid as over time. They should be sent home on compulsory vacations with air fare paid by their company. Medical insurance for all employees should be mandatory.
Sabu
Dubai

We greatly appreciate that you?re taking comments on the matter of minimum wages for labourers. Dubai represents the hope of having a good life for poor immigrants. After a long struggle and in many cases, spending life savings on getting visas their dream becomes a nightmare. In view of current prices (food, accommodation etc) minimum wages should be no less than Dh1,200 per month. 
Khan
By email

There are fixed minimum and maximum salaries for UAE nationals in the private sector - why can?t there the same for expatriate workers?
Hassan
By email

A minimum prescribed wage would delete the negative image UAE?s labour market is acquiring abroad. I feel it is mandatory to have a minimum wage policy for workers. We as a responsible society would like the workers to live a dignified life, satisfying their basic and other needs. Having a minimum wage policy will reduce policing due to protests and save resources that are utilised towards creating disruption and bad reputation. Minimum wage policy would provide workers with a clear direction. The minimum wage amount should allow the worker to meet his first order needs, namely basic needs and the safety and security needs of his family.
Agnelo
Dubai

A decent minimum wage is the right of every worker. Workers are not looking towards making a fortune out of it, but only to meet their basic needs. Poverty striken workers living in dilapitated quarters are contructing crystal towers for us and it is high time we listen to their calls for a decent standard of living.
Syed
Dubai

For every high rise buildings and fancy shopping malls being constructed, one should not forget those people who - from dawn to dusk - have worked like machines to build them. To protect their interests, there should be a minimum wage law like in most of the countries, and it should be fixed according to the job requirement and with consideraton to the cost of living in this part of the world. Setting up of a Labour Welfare Authority may also be considered.
Biju
Abu Dhabi

Many countries have a minimum wage law in effect. If implemented in the UAE, it will be better for poor workers. I suggest a minimum daily wage of Dh80 - 100 per day.
Mohammad
Abu Dhabi

I think that setting a minimum wage is very necessary. If the country is looking to keep high standards like in Europe or the USA, then it is a requirement and this way there will be less disgruntled people.
Anusha
By email

For decent living in UAE, it is required to fix the minimum wages at Dh1500 per month plus decent accommodation and transportation. Only then will people love to work in this country.
Venkat
Dubai

I feel there should be a minimum wage law for all job categories and a concrete structure of what should be the basic salary and allowances. This will make the workforce feel more secure and can help the country keep talented workers.
Arif
By email

The living condition of labourers in the UAE is very poor. It is shameful to the UAE.
Premkumar
New Delhi

I read through the news items published in Gulf News and I feel it is mandatory to fix the minimum wage level due to the current economic scenario. How viable and lucrative is it for a worker to continue to work here at a salary of Dh400 a month? Now, more and more people have started to look towards their home countries which are offering competitive remuneration packages. The UAE is loosing its edge in retaining its talented workforce who are the key drivers in the growth of the country.
Akhilesh
By email 

There should be minimum wage for all kinds of jobs and this should be set according to the current market value. Implementation should be monitored by a committee.
Navaneeth
By email

I believe that the government and private sector should set a standard compensation policy - not only in the UAE but in all countries. People are living in a so-called "globalized economy" wherein instituted global policy inputs give advantage to corporations without recognizing that corporations as well as government are accountable to people's needs. The minimum wage should be Dh1,500 per month or Dh50 per day. Any person who wants to live decently in this country needs a minimum of Dh50 per day since the cost of living is mounting rapidly.
Rafiq
By email

Yes there should be a salary bracket for all employees and a mandatory annual salary increment, depending on the worker's performance.
Mhamar
Dubai

It is high time the UAE implemented a minimum wage system. The country should have a monitoring body comprising of Labour Ministry officials, embassy officials and labourers' representatives who would make random inspections of work places and accommodations and would make sure that workers are paid on time.
Jahangir
By email

The minimum wage law will have a direct impact on poverty, crime rate, lifestyle, wealth, loyalty to the country, and worker's satisfaction.
Faisal
Dubai

There should definitely be a minimum wage. For a start, Dh1,000 would certainly help construction workers. Without their cheap labour, how much development would there be in the emirates? Also, non-payment of wages should be looked into. If a company falls three months behind, it should be given a substantial fine. If there is a repeat of the offence, the company should lose all rights to trade.
Roy
By email

Minimum wage should be set for all job categories. Maybe a grade system for minimum wage of certain job categories - like in some government departments - could work so that things are clear from the beginning.
Qaiser
By email

It is high time we should act to the plight of labourers and implement minimum wages for them. The move would curb unscrupulous sponsors and recruiters while guaranteeing abused workers an opportunity to decent wages. And it should be nothing less than Dh1,000 - considering the cost of living here.
Anoop
Dubai

Today being May Day, the topic is highly relevant. Governments every where in the world has a responsibility to protect the rights of their labour force. The GCC countries are no exception to this. Clear cut guidelines have to be set detailing the rights and duties of all classes of labourers. Minimum wages have to set for different categories of both skilled and unskilled labourers.
NK
Doha

There should be a limit for minimum wages so that workers can cope with the rising cost of commodities. I think the minimum salary should be Dh900 for an 8-hour duty and there should be overtime pay.
Raees
By email

The minimum wage rule should be implemented for not only construction workers but for workers in other sectors, especially for those working in restaurants, grocery stores and also for domestic workers. In addition, domestic workers also should get a chance to report their problems.
From a reader
By email

Minimum wages should be fixed according to the cost of living of a human being in the UAE. Employees from the public and private sectors should also have equal benefits. Labour complaints should be brought out in the open. If Dubai is aiming high to gain its place in the world, then it should better its treatment of the working class.
Henry
Dubai

The minimum wage for labourers should be on an hourly basis, like Dh15 per hour, to compensate for the extreme working conditions that they have to endure. These people work hard under soaring temperatures to build this country and yet they are hardly paid. The minimum wage law will help them survive in a booming city like Dubai.
Vijay
Dubai

Construction workers are paid an abysmal amount of Dh500 with a further deduction of Dh150 for food. With 25 per cent of the salary going to communication expenses and another 25 per cent on personal hygiene and essentials, what remains of this meagre Dh500? Housemaids get Dh400 as minimum salary for 12 to 18 hours of work, while hotel professionals are paid Dh800 a month on average - not enough to support their families. Teachers, on the other hand, receive a minimum salary of Dh2,000. Can we really expect dedicated teachers with that salary? The minimum salary for any human being to survive - regardless of the type of job he holds - should be Dh1,000, plus decent food and accommodation, and without forced overtime work.
James
By email

Minimum wage should be set at Dh1,000. Also, companies should provide decent accommodation, proper medical benefits, airfare and paid leave for every worker.
Vinu
By email

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