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UAE’s efforts lauded
DUBAI — Efforts to improve worker rights and advocate freedom of speech are some of the issues needing attention, according to the latest report by Human Rights Watch.
The international body lauded the UAE’s efforts in implementing labour reforms, most significantly, the new regulations in January 2011 that ensure workers do not pay any recruitment fees. In addition, the creation of a new unit to identify and investigate potential labour trafficking cases in the UAE was also commended.
“New labour regulations to curb exploitative recruiting agents who entrap foreign workers with recruiting fees and false contracts signals an extremely positive commitment to address one of the country’s most glaring human rights problems,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
“There have been positive reforms that include the extension of mid-day break for construction workers and the creation of a task force to combat human trafficking, but there are many issues that need to be addressed,” said Sameer Muscati, UAE researcher for Human Rights Watch.
A Press statement from the Ministry of Labour (MOL) said, “the MoL welcomes the fact that the international human and labour rights advocacy groups choose to hold the UAE to high standards when reporting on the conditions of foreign workers in our country, which aspires to be a model in region.”
“The MoL continues to believe that tabloid style advocacy of human and labour rights does a disservice to the very cause of human rights of foreign workers and undermines the credibility of the advocating organisation. The MoL takes the issue with the sensational reporting by HRW on the plight of workers who were laid-off from their UAE jobs in 2010, at a time when job loss that was due to the global economic downturn, was for the overwhelming part dealt with in an orderly fashion and workers continue to enjoy wage protection under an internationally acclaimed electronic Wage Protection System,” added the statement from the ministry.
The 649-page Human Rights Watch report comes as part of the organisation’s annual review of human rights practices around the world, summarising rights issues in more than 90 countries. — muaz@khaleejtimes.com
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