• Home

Ka’abi warns workers resorting to violence

The police who rushed to the spot brought the situation under control and also successfully persuaded the labourers to return to their labour camp peacefully.

However, a number of vehicles were damaged during the demonstration which also disrupted traffic in the vicinity for a while. The police later cordoned off the labour camp area as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, according to Wam, Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka’abi warned that his ministry would not hesitate in deporting the workers who had vandalised the vehicles including some police vehicles and public properties. “The workers had turned themselves into rioters and the ministry will not hesitate in taking necessary measures to deport whatever numbers of workers found responsible for such acts. We will not be lenient towards whoever tampers with the security of the state and safety of residents,” the minister stressed.

Humeid bin Demas, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour (MoL), said categorically that the labourers, all employed by a local contracting company, “breached their contractual obligations” by resorting to such a demonstration and causing wilful damage to property.

He added, there is a clear provision under the country’s labour laws for labourers and workers to register their grievances peacefully. The workers should select a group of representatives and delegate them to discuss and sort out such issues with the company management. Also, if the company management fails to respond, the MoL can be approached directly.

In this particular case, Bin Demas added, “The workers have been given time till today to resume their duties. Refusal to do so may lead to a cancellation of their labour permits and a life ban on entry to the UAE.

Abdullah bin Suloom, MoL’s Deputy Head of the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai, said the firm has not violated any of its contractual obligations.

Two workers, speaking to Khaleej Times on condition of anonymity, said “Our monthly salary is a mere Dh600. What we would like is that this is raised to Dh1,000 and in case of qualified technicians to Dh1,200. But despite repeated requests, the company management has not responded favourably. In fact, they have even refused to discuss the matter.”

• UAE