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UAE, India will ink MoU to sort out labour issues

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting in Abu Dhabi yesterday between Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, UAE Labour Minister, and Vayalar Ravi, the visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister.

Revealing the details of new MoU at a Press conference at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Vayalar Ravi said: “The discussion with the UAE labour minister was fruitful. Both the countries will make a draft for the MoU and discuss it to finalise details. I cannot say anything more about its contents.”

“The UAE minister told me that the labour ministry is to introduce a new mechanism under which Indian missions and UAE officials will work together to solve problems of workers. The authorities here are concerned about the work force. They showed me the design of a new project of labour accommodations and it looks impressive,” he said. “It is clear that the UAE is working to improve the lifestyle of workers,” he said.

“The Smart Cards which UAE plans to issue to all immigrants will solve most of the expatriates workers problems,” said Ravi. “Even if an employer retains one of his workers' passports, the Smart Card will help the respective consulate identify the individual and issue a duplicate passport,” he said, adding that in emergency situations, the workers can use it at the airports instead of the passport.

The minister also appealed to the Indian workers against resorting to violence.

“The UAE labour minister expressed his anguish about workers resorting to violence. There are sufficient mechanisms set up by the local authorities in order to redress workers’ problems. Workers can always register their complaints at the Indian consulate. Violence is just not acceptable,” said Ravi.

Labourers to be recruited under one-window system

By a staff reporter

DUBAI — Expatriate workforce for all construction and contracting companies in the UAE will now be recruited through a single-window system to be introduced soon by the UAE labour ministry.

This was announced by the visiting Indian Minister Vayalar Ravi following a meeting with the UAE Labour Minister Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi held in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Ravi said: “The new decision, when enforced, will mean that construction companies will have to approach a single agency to recruit workers. This agency will work under the UAE government and handle all the recruiting activities taking place in the UAE.”

“There are several malpractices indulged in by the agents both in India and in UAE. Dr Al Kaabi assured that the UAE will tackle this problem here by introducing the new system. In India, too, we are planning to curb fraudulent agents. We are going to launch a massive nationwide campaign, especially in rural India to bring awareness about unscrupulous recruitment agents,” he said.

• UAE