Simply suspending labour supply does not help

The Philippine labour attache’s office has prepared a watch list detailing the track record of some 80 placement agencies that arrange jobs for housemaids in the UAE. As a result, these agencies in Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah will be able to place domestic workers only if those agencies have clean records.

The move was prompted by a recent audit of the placement agencies that found 45 of them were lax in dealing with cases of runaway maids. While the number of runaway maids is not the sole criteria in ranking the placement agencies, it is assumed to be indicative of their track records.

But let us be clear — the rights of all workers and sponsors are protected under UAE labour laws. That same legislative framework lays down working conditions and minimum wage structures. When placement agencies — or any employer or sponsor — fail to adhere to those standards, the matter should be referred to the Ministry of Labour through appropriate channels.

Simply suspending the supply of workers impacts employers, sponsors and the workers.