Workers still paid in cash despite new rule

Dubai: Despite Ministry of Labour instructions that companies must pay their workers' salaries into bank accounts, some firms are not abiding by the rule.

Thousands of workers employed by the Abbas Salem Group in Dubai said they are paid in cash.

They are paid a month's salary every three months. They work for a labour supply company based in Dubai, but their accommodation is in Ajman.

"We are paid our salaries in cash by hand. We are paid Dh6 per hour despite the fact the contract said Dh20 per hour," a worker told Gulf News.

Another worker said the company has not opened bank accounts for them.

"Some of us send money through an exchange centre to our home countries. We do not have an ATM card."

The workers said they stopped working five days ago. "We complained to the Labour Ministry in Dubai," they said.

The workers said Ajman Police came to their accommodation to find out why they were gathering outside.

Recently the Ministry of Labour and the UAE Central Bank announced they had implemented a salary transfer system to banks and other institutions as part of efforts to ensure employers pay wages on time.

Obligatory

According to this mechanism salaries are transferred to banks and other financial institutions, enabling authorities to keep track of instances of late or non-payment of salaries.

Earlier the ministry said paying salaries into bank accounts was obligatory and it was watching to ensure this was done and companies that did not do so or did not pay on time faced punishment.

The workers also said they were forced to pay for their visas and accommodation.

"We complained to the Ministry of Labour which asked the company not to charge us for accommodation," said one worker.

Another worker said the company charged each worker Dh200 for food.

The workers added they told the ministry there was no drinking water in the accommodation.

"If the company management notices that a worker is making noise or talking too much they immediately cancel the visa and send him home," added another worker.

They also said the company does not provide air tickets and if they go on leave they are not paid.

"The Ministry of Labour promised to help," said a worker.

Gulf News on Monday contacted the company which said the workers were not telling the truth.

The company spokesman refused to comment on whether the workers were paid in cash and if they had bank accounts.