The UC aims at safeguarding the interests and rights of the Filipino workers in the labour market.

“The UC will spell out the terms and conditions of their job contracts, including salary, accommodation and transportation, in accordance with their professions,” Nasser Munder, Labour Attaché at the Embassy of Philippines in Abu Dhabi, told Khaleej Times.

UAE endorsement

He added that the UAE government would verify and endorse the contracts. “A joint committee comprising representatives of both countries will be set up to draft the UC in a way that will be acceptable to both the parties.

The UC will be available in both Arabic and English languages,” Munder said.

Yousef Jaffar, Labour Counsellor at the MoL, told Khaleej Times yesterday that UC follows the signing of an MoU between the Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi and the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment (Dole).

“The MoU aims at stopping the malpractices of some labour agencies, which coerce workers into paying money in return of jobs,” said Jaffar.