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Workers can't demand dues after a year of leaving the company

ABU DHABI — Workers have no right to demand their dues after a year of leaving the company, according to Mohammad Al Zaabi, Manager of Disputes Department in the Ministry of Labour.

"According to the Labour Law, we rejected a worker's application who demanded his dues pending for the last two years. The law allows the workers to demand their dues such as overtime, pending salaries and accommodation allowance within 12 months of their leaving the company," said Al Zaabi.

Al Zaabi was dealing yesterday with more than 60 workers, Public Relation Officers (PROs) and firms' owners, who attended the weekly 'Open Day' at the ministry's office.

Present during the session were General Manager in the MoL Humaid bin Deemas, Khalil Khoury, Manager of Work Permits Department, and Saleh Al Jabri, Manager of the Firms Department. MoL's officials rejected an application of a leading contracting company seeking permission to bring in 500 workers. The officials affirmed that the companies must arrange for suitable accommodation before getting the work permits.

Khalil Khoury said that the companies must abide by the Labour Law and the ministry's rules for prioviding clean, air-conditioned and healthy housing to the workers.

The officials also rejected requests from some companies to waive off fines imposed on them for violating the midday break rule during the months of July and August.

ahmed@khaleejtimes.com

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