Firms to face blacklisting, suspension

DUBAI - Employers summoned by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to investigate complaints filed against them by their workers, would subject their companies to blacklisting and suspension if they fail to show up on the specified date and time, according to Jassim Al Bannai, Deputy Director of the ministry's Labour Relations Department.

By Sanaa Maadad

Published: Mon 8 Sep 2003, 11:52 AM

Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2015, 11:47 PM

Mr Al Bannai said that the ministry summoned the employers in accordance with the regulations and provisions of the Labour Law. "When we receive complaints from workers, we summon the employer on a specific date to the ministry to discuss with him or his representative the problem in the presence of the workers and try to reach an amicable settlement," he said, pointing out that in some cases employers do not respect the summons.

Mr Al Bannai said that the ministry had to blacklist and suspend its dealings with two companies last month, because their owners or their representatives ignored the ministry's summons.

However, quoting figures of labour disputes handled by the department last month, Mr Al Bannai observed that there was a noticeable drop in the number of complaints as compared to the same period last year.

"We used to receive between 25 and 30 complaints everyday, but now we receive around 20," he said, attributing the drop to the impact and efficiency of regulations and decisions implemented by the ministry recently.

Mr Al Bannai pointed to the regulations concerning the bank guarantee of Dh3,000, which companies have to deposit for each and every expatriate worker they recruit, and the wage order decision which compel companies to provide audit reports on the payment of workers' salaries as a prerequisite for granting them visas and the high school certificate rule.

"The positive impact of such decisions have started to practically show in the labour market. Besides, the labour inspection is now playing a greater role in ensuring the stability of the labour market and in organising it, particularly with regard to the payment of salaries and living conditions of workers," Mr Al Bannai said, adding that tightening the control on the labour market has led to a decrease in labour disputes.

In this context, he said that the department received in August a total of 366 complaints involving 575 workers. The complaints' break down was 180 on delay in payment of salaries, 263 contract termination, three only concerning leave, 11 on temporary work permits and 180 on the end of service and other legal dues of employees.