Increasing rights awareness cuts crime: DNRD chief

Most crimes committed are due to ignorance of laws, according to a top official.

Major-General Obaid Mohair bin Srour, Deputy General Director of Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, said, majority of crimes are usually committed by workers due to ignorance of laws and are not intentional. He added that increasing awareness among workers about their rights and duties will reduce crime rate by 50 per cent, reported ‘Emarat Al Youm’.

Maj-Gen Srour, who is also Chairman of Standing Committee on workers in Dubai, said the labour committee has launched a campaign titled ‘Safe work is my life and my future’. The campaign that will run for a year aims to raise awareness among workers in Dubai about their rights and duties before and after entering the country, as well as help educate them about their responsibilities.

“We are keen to prevent any violation of workers’ rights, and at the same time we want them to be responsible and understand what should and should not be done” said Maj-Gen Srour at the launch of the campaign in Al Aweer, Dubai.

The permanent Committee for Labour Affairs has issued guidance manuals for workers on how to protect their rights, and be aware of laws and regulations, he said and added that the Committee will closely follow the implementation of these regulations to educate workers.

Maj-Gen Srour said, “ We want workers to take initiative and follow up on all their issues without hesitation. We want them to enjoy during their stay here and consider this their second home. Their work in the UAE must be an enjoyable experience.”

“We hope that workers who come here know their rights and responsibilities from the moment of arrival at airport. We encourage workers to communicate with relevant authorities here in case they encounter problems, so as to avoid breaking laws and committing crimes and being penalized,” he added.

He added that thousands of leaflets, posters and brochures are distributed in multiple languages in companies to explain the rules in the country to educate workers.

“There are more than 200 nationalities living in the country in peace, and everyone respects the law, and we know that the law may vary from one country to another,” he explained.

Posters includes crimes that may be committed by workers, such as working with non-sponsor that incurs a fine of Dh50,000; drug trafficking or use of drugs that could lead to imprisonment; murder that can call for death penalty; thefts; gambling; etc.

Maj-Gen Srour said the campaign also includes educating workers about their personal safety at workplaces such as using equipment correctly; wearing helmets, protective footwear, visibility vests, etc.

“We also want workers to be aware of their work hours; salary; medical benefits; weekends and holidays; end-of-service benefits; and other allowances,” he said and added that workers should be aware that they have to be medically fit, so that a working contract could be issued.

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