Mohammad: Protect rights of workers

Dubai: All necessary measures must be taken to ensure the rights of expatriate workers are protected and their living and working conditions are significantly improved, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai ordered authorities yesterday.

He also instructed the Minister of Labour, Dr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, during a meeting attended by other senior officials, 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 rules set by the UAE and the Ministry of Labour in this matter," WAM reported yesterday.

And in a groundbreaking move, he instructed the Naturalisation and Residency Department to implement special contracts between domestic workers (servants and housemaids) and their employers that limit their working hours and grant them their full rights.

"The UAE will not tolerate any unjust treatment of workers or compromise of their dignity and basic human rights," he warned.

Dr Al Ka'abi told Gulf News last night the ministry will draw up a "comprehensive plan" and once this plan is ready, it will be announced to the public. "We will put into force Shaikh Mohammad's instructions. The plan will include a timeline for implementation and the inspection authority will oversee implementation to ensure that all workers receive their rights."

PLAN
Other measures to help labourers

- Creation of a specialised court for dealing with labour complaints and mistreatment cases.

- Setting up of a special inspection unit, comprising of 2,000 inspectors to monitor labour accommodations and workplaces.

- An urgent study to be conducted to investigate the roles and capabilities of labour supply companies, and to make sure that they comply with the laws and prevent them from abusing workers' rights.

HH Shaikh Mohammad's instructions must serve as an eye opener for those employers who are still at large and continue to suppress worker's rights. At the same time the authorities must set up a mechanism to ensure that the steps ordered are implemented immediately, since these instructions of Shaikh Mohammad prove that so far authorities were not doing enough.
Vipin
Doha,Qatar

I think Shaikh Mohammad is doing a great job, he has really done wonders with Dubai, I think in the coming years Dubai will be a great place to live and work in and I think all this is due to Shaikh Mohammad's hard work, keep it up sir.
Rakhshan
Dubai,UAE

Great decision. I am an architect and have suffered abuse, bad behaviour and many more problems from to my employer. I am sure this will provide relief to me and many more who come to build Dubai with their dreams which are shattered here by the bad attitude of their employers.
Aalok
Dubai,UAE

Dubai means different things to different people, but one thing stands out; that it is possible to be purely islamic and modern at the same time. Secondly that democracy alone is not the only means to development and economic growth. That with strong leadership, direction and commitment any country can aspire to greatness. However it is heart warming that His Highness is dealing with this issue of discrimination at work place, it is a sign that Dubai has a listening leadership.
Kelechi
Lagos,Nigeria

It is wonderful to see Shaikh Mohammad taking these much needed steps. And please address the Dubai real estate rent increase problem too.
Noushad
Dubai,u

HH Shaikh Mohammad's concern is really a much needed move. How about starting with increasing the minimum salary compulsion. This will be the biggest act of kindness rather than other things. So many things are said in favour of labourers but the authorities never increased the minimum salary scale which is most important to stop exploitation.
Waqar
Dubai,UAE

Excellent! A long awaited and much needed relief for all expatriate labour. A leap and a bound in the right direction.
Clayton
Dubai,UAE

On behalf of All the workers in my company, I am very thankfull to HH Shaikh Mohammed for his kindness and helpfull decision, but this law should be implemented as soon as possible and a special team should be conducted to monitor the accomaodation, food, behaviours of the employee to the labour and salary.
Irfan
Dubai,UAE

Hats off to Shaikh Mohammed is all I can say!!! His recent decisions have been implemented and strictly followed, such as the crackdown on reckless drivers and I can only assume that this one will be too! It is definitely a positive step in the right direction!
Lisa
Dubai,UAE

Another great move from a visionary leader who has turned literally dust into gold with just vision and his leadership. No doubt this issue if handled rightly and due considerations can dramatically change the living conditions for expats.
Ali
Dubai,UAE

Thanks to HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid that he is taking such an action and we are thankful to him that he is looking after poor labourers.
Muhammed
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE

This is an excellent move by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad. Hopefully this should put an end of the merciless expliotation of poor labourers in the UAE. One thing that the authorities must focus on is the retaining of the passport of the labourers.
Devkant
Mumbai,India

Regretfully no rules work here. Only discussing, issuing rules then announce it. but nothing happened, for example the rents.
Suha
Dubai,UAE

This is a welcome movement from the UAE goverment, workers rights should be protected in a civilised country.
John
Sharjah,UAE

Its is really a very good move by the government. When will these changes be implementated? I think everyone who has suffered hard times by their employers will be thankful to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid.
Muhammad
Dubai,UAE

It is wonderful to see Shaikh Mohammad taking these much needed steps. Watching all the construction workers suffer, and the construction companies exploit them like animals is just not humane.
NAdir
Dubai,UAE

It is a very progressive decision. The rulers of Dubai are always good. All expatriates will be happy if the above is implemented.
K.R.
Abu Dhabi,UAE

I salute HH Shaikh Mohammad for this wonderful plan and I hope it is initiated and implemented soon. They should also take the construction workers into consideration, as they work long hours and live in really poor conditions.
Behin
Dubai,UAE

Thanks to Shaikh Mohammad! This is really a big help to all "abused" expatriate workers.
Mhillian
Dubai,UAE

This is a very good move by the government. Inspection Units should specially include small appartments into their inspection where small contractors accommodate their workers. I have seen a place where there were 21 workers living in one room of 9x20 feet room, using one toilet/bathroom.
Gurmeet
Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates

I am happy to know of your postive step in to improve the living conditions of expats. I will be glad if you can take direct full control of expats issues. God bless you and long live the UAE.
Manjit
Auckland,New Zealand