Dh1.5 million fine for employing illegal workers

A regular on-site inspection campaign, organised jointly by the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Dubai Police, resulted in the arrest of 15 illegal immigrants. These men were employed illegally on a daily wage of Dh50 by an establishment manager in Dubai.

The errant establishment, which employed the workers, will have to pay a fine of Dh1.5 million. The workers and the establishment manager have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

According to Maher Al Obad, MoL’s Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs, the workers were found to have violated the labour law, as well as the law governing entrance and residence of foreigners.

Al Obad said it is illegal to employ a worker unless the necessary work permits, including a worker’s labour card, is procured from the ministry. He made it clear that the ministry gives several options to employers to use and employ labourers so as to meet the requirements of their firms. Employers have the option of obtaining an ordinary work permit, a limited-term work permit, a temporary work permit, a business mission work permit, as well as work permits issued to juveniles or those under the sponsorship of their families (spouse, father and mother).

Essa Al Zarounie, Director of the Inspection Department of MoL, said when the inspection team arrived at the errant firm, the workers did not have their labour cards. On being questioned, they said they entered the country illegally and had been employed by the firm for over a week.

salah@khaleejtimes.com