Sponsorship ban may ‘affect emiratisation’ policy

RAS AL KHAIMAH - A group of RAK Labour Department employees has expressed displeasure over the decision taken recently by Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi denying them sponsorship of visas relating to their businesses.

Read more...

By Sadiq A. Salam

Published: Fri 18 Mar 2005, 10:36 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Jun 2023, 3:28 PM

Speaking to Khaleej Times on condition of anonymity, several department officials said the minister’s decision would have “catastrophic effect on their private business”.

“The money we earn through our jobs is not enough to support our families and lead a decent life,” one official said, while another added: “The price rise of commodities in the market has been astronomical while our salaries have remained at the same levels they were several years ago. We are struggling to make both ends meet.”

Most of them were unanimous in admitting that such a move may force some of them to make money through unethical or illegal means. “Besides, it would also be reflected in the qualtiy of our work since many of us may be reluctant to do our job efficiently, or do it grudgingly,” an official said. The officials also believe that the decision would work against the emiratisation policy of the government since it had set in motion brain drain from the department, in that some of the highly qualified senior employees had quit their posts on account of the ban on sponsorship.

“I have been in this job for over 17 years, and I have never come across any complaints against sponsorship by its employees,” an employee said, adding that none of the workers sponsored by them had ever violated Labour Law and rules or had gone absconding. “Neither has been any labour dispute involving our business nor complaints of non-payment of salaries,” pointed out another, before adding that they would not be in a position to insist on others following the Law if they themselves don’t follow it.

Advertising
Advertising

Asked why they had not taken up the issue with the minister, they said: “His authoritative approach left us with little room but to comply or quit our posts or wind up our business.”

Sadiq A. Salam

Published: Fri 18 Mar 2005, 10:36 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Jun 2023, 3:28 PM

Recommended for you