Significant decline in number labour complaints

There has been a drastic fall in the number of labour complaints in the recent past, according to the latest statistics available.

Similarly there's been a decline in workers' migration, too. Labour complaints decreased by 25 per cent in the last three months compared with the same period in 2010, according to statistics of the Labour Ministry. And workers migrating during the same period have declined by 14 per cent. This is the result of the various initiatives adopted by the Labour Ministry incluing the WPS (Wages Protection System). In fact, it is the success of the WPS system that has significantly contributed to solving workers' issues, believes Labour Minister.

Non-participation of institutions and private companies in the WPS is one of the red lines that must not be transgressed, said Saqr Ghubash, Minister of Labour. “There are strict instructions to close the file of companies that are not taking part in the WPS, so as not to allow it to renew the labour cards of their workers, hiring new staff or open new facilities,” he said.

Ghubash said the success of the WPS, contributed in solving the labourers’ problems which reflected in the absence of the phenomenon of labour strikes.

He made this observation during a meeting with media representatives which was also attended by Mubarak Al Dhaheri and Humaid bin Dimas, assistant undersecretaries of the Ministry of Labour.

The meeting was held to review the policies, objectives and initiatives of the ministry’s strategy (2011/2013).

Ghubash reviewed the priorities and objectives of the ministry’s strategy represented in the labour force’s participation and development of their capabilities, in order to increase efficiency, flexibility and productivity in the labour market.

It also aims to attract talent and develop the work environment to highlight the positive position of the UAE in the international arena.

“The ministry adopts as its message, organising the labour market so as to enhance participation of the local workforce for flexibility and attract talent, through an integrated system of standards and regulatory policies and tools,” he said.

The Cabinet decision, he stressed, did not exclude any company from participating in the WPS even if the company has only one labourer under in its sponsorship. “Approximately 99 per cent of the institutions and companies with 100 workers and more are taking part in the WPS,” he revealed.

According to statistics of the ministry, reports of workers migrating during the past three months have declined by 14 per cent, while labour complaints too decreased by 25 per cent when compared with the same period in 2010.

The Minister of Labour stressed the importance of WPS in creating a comprehensive database about the labour market and the number of establishments and workers. “This database helped in directing the inspection department and focuses its efforts in tracking facilities that are not participating in the WPS,” he added.

The non-participation in the WPS raise doubts in these facilities which may be considered as fictitious and subjected the penalties of the ministry, he said. “To prevent such illegal practices, we should adopt the procedures which guarantee the separation between the issuance of work permit and residence visa,” he added.

He said the Ministry of Labour has adopted 18 initiatives to achieve its strategic objectives.

Among such initiatives include the Khalifa Fund to enable Emiratisation, classification system of installations, service centres, employment agencies and classification of small and medium enterprises.

While the ministry has launched three initiatives to achieve flexibility and attract talent represented in the new transition system, the issuance of work permits and the classification of installations.

The initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Labour would enhance the reputation of the UAE in international forums, employment agencies and as a role model of understanding with the labour-exporting countries, he said.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.