United Arab Emirates
Migrant workforce reaches 3.11 million; strengthening migrant workers’ rights
A report from the Ministry of Labor shows that there are currently 3.11 migrant laborers from 202 countries working for about 260,000 employers and establishments in the UAE. The report, released on 26 April, aims to promote better labor laws and rights amid an economic boom.
Ministry of Labor officials met with labor attachés from India and the Philippines to discuss plans of strengthening the protection of migrant workers’ rights. The talks, which concluded on 21 April, included plans of setting up a Labor Experts Committee that will prepare an international agreement draft to “streamline the absorption of temporary workers” and protect them from unscrupulous recruitment agencies. A pilot plan will also be established to streamline the movement of workers from their home country to their designated GCC state.
Stiffer penalties for entry/residency violations
A Yemeni man was sentenced and fined Dh1.5-million for bringing in and sheltering 15 foreigners into the country. The Dh1.5 million fine is the highest the Bani Yas Court of First Instance has imposed among all the cases that violated the entry and residency laws.
Entry and Residency Law violations include employing irregular foreign workers, sponsoring workers on someone else’s sponsorship and hiring those on visit visas. A violator used to be fined a maximum of Dh10,000, but Ali Humaid Bin Kathim, Head of Naturalization and Residency Prosecution said the law is tougher and stricter now, especially after the amnesty period ended in November last year. A violator who hires someone who is already sponsored or is on a visit visa will now be fined Dh50, 000. The worker will be imprisoned up to three months and will be fined Dh10, 000. He will also be deported and barred from entering the country without a special permission from the Ministry of Interior. Anyone sheltering irregulars will also be imprisoned for two months and will be fined Dh100,000 per irregular migrant, all up to a maximum of Dh5 million.
Meanwhile, the Department of Naturalization and Residency is planning to set up a cash reward system for residents who will provide tip-offs to immigration authorities on irregular workers, including those with proper visas but are working part-time for someone who is not their sponsor. A toll free hotline number may be established in each emirate for those who wish to report to authorities.
Irregular migrants arrested, deported
In a span of five months, over 900 irregular migrants were prosecuted by the Ras Al Khaimah Naturalization and Residency Department. Most of them were Asian and Arab nationalities whose employment visas expired. They were arrested during raids conducted by authorities after the expiration of the amnesty offer last year. Some were deported after paying fines.
A center for trafficked victims
Eight million dirham will be given to a project that will build a center for human trafficking victims, the Abu Dhabi government announced late April. The center will provide trafficked women and children shelter, safety, health care and social support. The move is seen as one of the many reported efforts of UAE’s fight against human trafficking.
In related news, the Dubai Police said on 9 April that there is no evidence of organized trafficking in the country to date, and that only 10 trafficking cases were recorded in Dubai last year. Police urged the media to focus more on the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking. In 2006, the UAE put into effect a law that imposes fines and penalties for individuals or organizations involved in trafficking persons.
Asian workers rally for wage increase
Over 200 Asian workers at a contracting company protested in front of the Dubai Courts Complex on 4 April, demanding an increase in their wages. The workers also asked for official holidays, labor cards and overtime pay from their contracting company. Dubai Court officials later met with the workers’ representatives and argued that their method in voicing out their demands was unlawful. They advised the workers to submit a complaint to the Ministry of Labor and follow due process.
Meanwhile, a draft law seeking to impose a 100 percent wage increase for foreign workers in the civil service is being considered by directors of local departments in Umm Al Quwain. Officials met on 10 April to discuss the proposal, which, if approved will apply to all migrant workers employed in the emirate’s local departments.
UAE allows three-month sponsorship transfers of domestic workers
UAE has begun allowing the sponsorship transfer of domestic workers for three months to another qualified sponsor, a senior official announced on 30 April. A fee of Dh500 must be paid to the Department of Naturalization and Residency to secure the transfer, which includes granting a temporary permit for the domestic worker. The new rule also requires a temporary work contract between the domestic worker and the second sponsor for the transfer to push through. The sponsorship transfer can only be done once.
The new policy is seen as a measure to control the influx of unauthorized domestic workers in the country. From 2003 to 2007, police arrested 1,945 unauthorized domestic workers during inspections, while 128,593 absconding cases were recorded in the same period.
Drop in recruitment of Indian domestic workers
There has been a 50 percent drop in the demand for Indian domestic workers in the UAE. Officials have linked the decline to the new rules enforced by the Indian Embassy in February last year, which require sponsors to provide a refundable deposit of Dh9,200 for recruiting domestic workers directly from India. The new regulations also include raising the minimum wage from Dh600 to Dh 1,100 a month.
Sources: “200 Asians rally for wage, overtime,” Bahrain Tribune, 4 April 2008; Ahmed Abdul Aziz, “Companies continue to flout rules,” Khaleej Times, 8 April 2008; Mohsen Rashid, “Tip-off on illegals to bring cash reward,” Khaleej Times, 8 April 2008; Sunita Menon, “Fewer Emiratis employing Indian housemaids,” Gulf News, 8 April 2008; IANS, “No human trafficking in UAE, say police,” NDTV, 10 April 2008; Amira Agarib, “Efforts to combat human trafficking highlighted,” Khaleej Times, 11 April 2008; Sebugwaawo Ismail, “Over 900 living on expired visa held in RAK, deported,” Khaleej Times, 17 April 2008; Ahmed Abdul Aziz, “Officials, experts discuss plans for protection of workers’ rights,” Khaleej Times, 24 April 2008; “Care centre to help trafficking victims,” Gulf News, 24 April 2008; “Ministry says 3.11m expats from 202 countries comprise labour force,” Gulf News, 27 April 2008; Bassam Za’za’, “Strict naturalization law leads to drop in hiring of illegals,” Gulf News, 27 April 2008; “Man fined Dh1.5m for sheltering infiltrators,” Khaleej Times, 29 April 2008; Rayeesa Absal, “Three-month sponsorship transfer of domestic workers introduced across the UAE,” Gulf News, 1 May 2008