Businesses lash out at residency cap proposal

 Dubai: Business in the UAE will be affected, if the proposed residency cap is implemented because it will force companies to give up locally trained staff, leading businesses said yesterday.

Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, had told Gulf News on Sunday that the UAE will support the Bahraini proposal of a six-year residency cap for unskilled labourers to be discussed at the GCC Summit in Doha in December.

A spokesperson of the Al Habtoor Group described the proposed cap as unwise as the country will lose its semi-professional and professional manpower. Besides, there will be financial losses.

Targeted sectors

"In six years unskilled labourers will develop some kind of skills and become semi-professional and professional manpower. By not renewing their residence visa, the country will face a shortage of semi-skilled workers and we have to go through the same cycle by bringing in newcomers."

The proposed cap will be applicable for those with an education below secondary school certificate, Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant undersecretary at the ministry, told Gulf News.

"The main sector which will be targeted is the construction but other sectors, which do not need skilled labourers, such as the tourism and hospitality and service sectors will also be affected by the cap," said Al Zahmi.

Workers said they will be in trouble as they have come here for the long haul with large families to support at home.

I completely agree with the Al Habtoor spokesman. It will not be professional if we tell someone after working for six hard years and is looking forward to growing and improving that the government does not think that he is worth the hassle to be retained! That is not fair to the employee and the company.
Behin
Dubai,UAE

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