Suicide of workers on the decline in Sharjah

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Suicide of workers on the decline in Sharjah
Sharjah to mark International Workers' Day with a celebratory three-day event from April 29 to May 1 at Al Sajah

Sharjah - Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority announces three-day event to mark International Workers' Day from April 29 to May 1. According to the Indian Association Sharjah, the organiser of the event, 400 labourers in the emirate will benefit from the three-day event.

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Wed 27 Apr 2016, 4:05 PM

Last updated: Wed 27 Apr 2016, 4:40 PM

The number of workers committing suicide has dropped in Sharjah, thanks to the new labour rules.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of a Press conference held by Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA) on Tuesday to announce the International Workers' Day programme, Y.A. Rahim, President of the Indian Association of Sharjah, said that the number of suicides has been reduced over the last two years in Sharjah.
Previously, there were five or six cases of suicide every month, but during the last year the have been only one or two cases each month, at most, have been reported.
According to him most suicide cases occurred due to financial issues such as late payments, ill-treatment by employers, illness, lack of medical insurance, poor accommodation and lack of entertainment.
He attributed the sharp drop in suicides to the new labour law that force employers to deposit salaries of their labourers into their accounts, as well as improvements in their living conditions.
There are now zero reported protests by labourers, largely due to effective labour laws that ensure on-time payments and protect them from exploitation by employers.
The Indian Association in Sharjah, working in coordination with the Indian consulate, repatriates bodies of deceased workers by using the Indian Community Welfare Fund.
He also noted that the efforts and initiatives being undertaken by the LSDA will play a significant role in reducing the number of suicide cases to labourers.
The LSDA is working to ensure happiness and a decent life for labourers who work hard to achieve developments in the UAE.
"At least they would feel that someone is looking after them," he said.
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA) on Tuesday announced its plan to mark the International Workers' Day in the emirate.
The International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day and May Day, falls on the first of May each year.
The SLSDA, a body to protect labour rights, intends to mark the International Workers' Day with a celebratory three-day event from April 29 - May 1 at Al Sajah in Sharjah.
According to the Indian Association Sharjah, the organiser of the event, 400 labourers in the emirate will benefit from the three-day event.
The SLSDA's programme aims to highlight and showcase the significant contribution of labourers and working-class people to the urban development in the emirate and across the UAE.
How they are going to celebrate

The list of programmes was made in the presence of Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, Chairman of the SLSDA, and Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, and Director of the SLSDA, at a Press conference held in the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A delegation of Sharjah Government officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and members of the Indian Association, were also present.
The director of the SLSDA, extended his thanks to the Indian Association for organising the festival and inviting labourers to join the celebration.
Addressing the Press conference Al Laser said that the celebration includes a series of entertaining sporting and awareness activities. These include friendly cricket and volleyball matches between labourers and a dedicated bazaar (market) hosting a large number of retailers.
"The three-day festival will offer entertainment in the form of cultural performances from different countries, including: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," Al Qaseer added.

What's in store for workers
Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA) submit proposals to the government after studying the needs and issues of labourers carefully.
The labour body in Sharjah, the SLSDA, has recommended these things for the benefit of the workers: Mandatory medical insurance for the workers, establishment of parks, commercial malls, sport courts and cinemas in areas including Al Sajjah and Sharjah Industrial areas.
Al Qaseer stressed that employers must remain committed to adopting high working standards and paying special attention to the human side of their operations. He also commended the role played by labourers in the rapid urban development of Sharjah and the UAE in general.
Al Qaseer also noted that LSDA aims to help employers and laborers collaborate and liaise with the government agencies concerned for the provision of their needs and to ensure optimum workplace environments, according to the employer's industry.
He added that the authority is an independent entity endowed with administrative autonomy and power to take all the necessary actions to achieve its objectives.
"The authority is committed to adopting the best international work practices and procedures to serve the interests of labourers, protect their rights and recognise their efforts."
He added that although there are 5 million workers in the UAE, workers in Sharjah form only 19 per cent of the total number.
Al Qasimi clarified that among the celebrations and entertainment on the first day, the event will also have a medical camp offering free medical tests.
The second day will be 'Awareness Day' and includes workshops that focus on spreading awareness on labour rights.
 "The authority is making every effort this year to recognise and raise awareness of the efforts made by some of the hardest workers here in Sharjah.
"One of the highlights of the awareness programme is the screening of an inspiring life story of a businessman who honours a number of labourers, in recognition of their dedication and work," he said.
The SLSDA was established in 2014, by an Emiri decree issued by His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and was entrusted with ensuring the well-being of all labourers in the emirate.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com


(From left) Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Salem Yousef Al Qaseer and Y.A.Rahim at a press conference held at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
(From left) Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Salem Yousef Al Qaseer and Y.A.Rahim at a press conference held at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

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