Service centre for workers opened

Dubai: The first service centre in labour accommodation areas to educate workers on their rights and duties was inaugurated in Sonapur here on Friday.

The Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai (PCLAD) opened its first centre to provide assistant for workers in their accommodation as part of the committee's drive to improve workers' conditions.

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Chairman of the committee, said at the inauguration ceremony that the committee was the voice of the workers.

"This committee is for the labourers. We want to be close to you and we want to you to be close to us, therefore we came to you to receive your complaints and suggestions," Al Merri told workers with the help of a translator.

Thousands of workers attended the inauguration and representatives from the Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Egyptian consulates were also present.

Ahmad Zen, speaking on behalf of the Sri Lankan Consul General, told Gulf News that the main problem faced by workers was that they were clueless on where to turn to when facing problems.

"Such initiatives will be a great help for workers to solve their problems," said Zen.

Quality of life

The centre, located close to the bus station in Sonapur, will be open during evening hours every day when workers are in their labour accommodations.

Members of PCLAD will also conduct inspection on labour accommodations in the area to ensure the quality of workers' living conditions.

"We will try to solve any problem you face through voicing your concern to different governmental bodies as well as finding our own solutions," Al Merri told the workers.

Booklets were distributed to the workers providing information on the tasks of the committee as well as contact information.