UAE protects our rights, respects differences: Domestic workers

Abu Dhabi - The Emirates News Agency (Wam), has interviewed a number of domestic workers from different religions, nationalities and ethnicities.

 The UAE has a unique experience in protecting the rights of workers and providing them a decent life, given its status as home to more than 200 nationalities.
The Emirates News Agency (Wam), has interviewed a number of domestic workers from different religions, nationalities and ethnicities who talked about the conditions of employment in the country and what it means to them to live and work in the UAE.
Somni Siri, a Christian who has been living in Dubai for 30 years, said that his feeling of security and safety is a reason to be happy, considering the UAE as his "second home". He pointed out that he never felt, during his stay in the UAE, that there is any difference between Muslims or non-Muslims, adding that he sensed how Christians, for example, are "treated well" by all citizens.
Another example is Shams Uddin from India, a resident for 27 years, who said: "The UAE is a country where you get your rights and you can observe the rule of law."
He added: "People live here without feeling any differences based on religion, nationality and colour."
Shiva Baden from Bangladesh said: "I have been working for an Emirati family for 12 years. I have always considered them as my own family and never felt homesick because of how they have been treating me."
She added: "This country brings people together regardless of their religions, that's why I love it."
Citi from Indonesia described the family that she worked for as "my family", saying that "I've been working here for 10 years and I feel safe, secure and stable."
She pointed out that the owner of the house treats her well, and when she decides to travel to her family in Indonesia, the housewife buys for her and her family many gifts.
Dr Omar Abdul Rahman Salem Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Communications and International Relations at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said that the Federal Law no. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers is a fundamental pillar in spreading and promoting tolerance in the UAE.
The law aims at providing the best living conditions for its residents while safeguarding their rights and duties, he added.
Al Nuaimi explained that "the law regulates the relationship between employers, workers and recruitment agencies. It also reads that the recruitment office is obliged not to bring the worker from his or her country unless it declares the type of work, its nature, the amount of the comprehensive wage and the availability of proof of fitness, health, psychological, professional and other conditions determined by the executive regulations of this law.
"Tolerance is not only a moral duty, but a legal duty recognised and clarified by the law," he added.
Domestic Workers Law
The Domestic Workers Law established a mechanism and a clear vision to deal with disputes by attempting to reach an amicable settlement going to the courts. The law guarantees 12 principal rights and privileges of every foreign worker entering the country.
>Every domestic worker should get at least one day of paid leave per week.
>They should not work for more than 12 hours a day and get at least 12 hours of rest which includes eight hours of consecutive rest.
>Every worker should get 30 days of paid annual leave and 30 days of sick or medical leave
>He or she should be provided with medical insurance
>The employer is liable to give a round-trip ticket for workers every two years along with decent accommodation while in the UAE
>The UAE is implementing the first of its kind programme for the insurance of workers' rights, both in the private and domestic sectors, in parallel with supporting businesses and reducing the financial burden on employers. The insurance system ensures full protection of their salaries and entitlements such as end of service benefits, repatriation costs and injury compensation, especially in case of insolvency of the employer.
 

• UAE