Violent protests are unjustified

The violence that has of late become the resort of some workers in the country is counterproductive and does not serve any of the parties involved. Resorting to violence as a method for highlighting grievances, protest or objection does not end problems of demonstrating workers but complicates them further.

All workers here have to enjoy their rights. Their grievances should also be addressed and resolved. The UAE Government has recognised this to be the best model for establishing a good working environment with the Ministry of Labour introducing various measures that ensure that such a policy becomes an established practice across the board for all workers. The recent violence unleashed by workers at a factory in Ras Al Khaimah damages the interests of workers more than anyone else, which perhaps was rightly expressed by Vayalar Ravi, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister: "We cannot accept any kind of violence in the Gulf. I appeal to Gulf workers not to resort to violence".

There is no question that there will always be violating employers and the authorities should counter it by developing processes that guarantees an employer's obligations towards their employees. But under no circumstance an employer's injustice justifies the use of violence.