Dubai: If you are new to the UAE, and have just been employed, you might need to go for a mandatory training session at Tawjeeh. Here is a breakdown of all you need to know about Tawjeeh.
What does Tawjeeh mean?
The Arabic word tawjeeh literally means ‘guidance’ and some workers are required to attend awareness classes, which offer information on the UAE’s laws and culture, the labour laws and penalties as well as tips on how to manage your finances in a new country.
However, with free Sim cards available to people who attend the sessions as well as a free savings programme, Tawjeeh sessions are more than just for guidance.
Who needs to attend Tawjeeh awareness classes?
Workers who fall under Skill level or category 3, 4 and 5 are required to attend these classes.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation – MoHRE has a guide on job titles and skill levels. Each profession in the private sector is assigned to one of five applicable skill levels.
A skill level is measured in terms of academic qualifications and experience needed and complexity of work involved. Skill level one jobs are for the highly-skilled and skill level five jobs are for the lower skilled.
- Skill level 3 - Skilled workers, like receptionists, office clerks, filing clerks etc
- Skill level 4 - Unskilled workers like carpet layers, tile layers, or air conditioning mechanic.
- Skill level 5 – Labourers, domestic workers, cleaners etc.
Since September 2019 the classes have been made mandatory for workers.
What happens at the Tawjeeh awareness class?
The Tawjeeh centres have several lecture halls that resemble mini theatres, with individual seats having a smart system. The QR code provided to each attendee at the reception is scanned on the individual smart systems at the start and end of the session, to ensure that no one skips the classes.
If any person attending the classes decides to leave and the QR code is not scanned at the end of the class, the labour card will not be issued after the class. The person will need to attend the class again.
Through a documentary, enacted by a group of workers in the UAE, attendees are informed about their labour contract, the right and duties of an employee, health and safety standards, as well as the UAE’s culture and laws.
Even financial management tips are shared, with workers advised to save at least 20 per cent of their earning.
More importantly, workers are informed about how they can raise complaints, in case they face issues like delay in payment or misbheaviour or abuse by the employers.
How can a worker raise a complaint against his employer?
Workers in the UAE need to raise labour complaints with MoHRE, either via the app or by calling 800 60.
What is the free savings programme for UAE workers?
At the end of the awareness class, workers are also informed about the Thara’a (Arabic word for prosperity) programme, which is part of the UAE National Happiness Programme.
The initiative is by MoHRE under the Ministry of Happiness’ National Happiness Programme that was launched by the Ministry in an agreement with National Bonds Corporation.
By registering for the programme, a labourer can decide on a fixed amount of money that would be taken from his or her monthly income and put into a savings programme of his or her choice.
This programme is aimed at enhancing the UAE’s competitive position in the Happiness Index and Labour Rights Index.
The programme also has other benefits to encourage savings among workers, like annual returns, financial services like money transfer services, raffle draws and prizes.
You can register at the automated machines at Tawjeeh centres.
