Faced with increasing number of strikes by foreign workers, mainly calling for salary hikes, the UAE cabinet today asked the Labour Ministry to collaborate with construction companies to prepare proposals on the issue of salaries of workers in the construction sector.
DUBAI: Faced with increasing number of strikes by foreign workers, mainly calling for salary hikes, the UAE cabinet today asked the Labour Ministry to collaborate with construction companies to prepare proposals on the issue of salaries of workers in the construction sector.
Last week, around 4,500 Indian workers went on a strike calling for increased salaries, in view of rising cost of living in the country.
Initially, the authorities wanted to deport all the workers involved in the strike, but later following timely intervention by the Indian diplomats, only 90 Indian workers were charged for indulging in violence.
Sources said that strikes are on in three more companies, including one where 20,000 Indian workers are involved.
UAE Labour Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary, Humaid bin Deemas told the Emirates news agency that his ministry will meet with the relevant companies within the next few days to prepare a study which will seek to ensure that the rights and interest of workers and owners of the companies for which they work are equally protected.
"The Labour Ministry was following with deep concern the protests being made by workers from a number of construction companies in the country and was dealing with the issue in accordance with the due process of law and related procedures," he was quoted as saying by the agency.
The ministry remains committed to protecting the rights of workers and to the implementation of all related procedures, as well as carrying out inspections of facilities and workplaces for workers, Deemas said.
The ministry was also committed in taking necessary measures to bring an end to any form of violation of the law in this regard, he said adding his ministry strongly insists that all workers must receive full wages without any deductions, for whatever reason.
"The ministry totally rejects the excuses being given by some companies for their practice of withholding wages."
The ministry, Deemas said, was determined to eradicate this practice, which, he said, was considered by the UAE government to be an unacceptable form of exploitation that is in contravention of the law.
Demands from workers that were accompanied by riots and acts of damage to public property, would not be entertained.
"The authorities concerned will not hesitate to respond firmly to such acts and to refer those responsible to the courts," he said.
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