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29 March 2024

European Parliament resolution baseless: Ghobash

Published
By Wam

UAE Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash said on Monday that the European Parliament resolution on human rights in the UAE is baseless and does not reflect the real situation in the country both in terms of legislation or practices on the ground.

"The issue of human rights in the UAE is closely monitored by the leadership to preserve human rights and dignity in conformity with the UAE values and national legislation applied to citizens and residents without discrimination. Hence, the UAE has become a magnet for different nationalities," he added.

Ghobash said that the European Parliament resolution was built on fallacies and lacked credibility and transparency, particularly in relation to the situation in the labour market, which is governed by the legislation and policies that provide protection for workers and ensure at the same time the legitimate interests of employers.

He reiterated the UAE's concern on labour issues, expressing his surprise about the EU parliament resolution in this respect.

"It was inconsistent with several reports issued by organisations concerned with labour affairs, notably, the International Labour Organisation, which had praised several initiatives being implemented by the labour market in the UAE," Ghobash said.

The UAE minister cited the Wages Protection System (WPS), which has become an innovative model for Arab, region and international levels to ensure workers get their wages on time.

Ghobash said the resolution had not taken into account the UAE's efforts to provide an exemplary work environment in accordance with the international standards, referring to the afternoon work ban decision to protect workers from hot weather conditions during summer.

The UAE minister noted that the UAE has a flexible labour transfer system that preserves good labour relations between employers and employees in the light of labour laws.

"The European parliament resolution ignores the right to litigate provided by the UAE to workers. The Ministry of Labour allows workers to lodge complaints with the competent labour courts in case parties fail to settle a case amicably," he said, adding that there are many cases settled in favour of workers in accordance with the laws in this respect.

He said the UAE has introduced a package of measures and policies to assist labour-exporting countries in protecting their workers before coming to the UAE to work from any exploitation and illegal recruitment practices like paying for getting employment opportunities. These measures were taken in consistence with the Ministerial Consultation on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia, better known as the ''Abu Dhabi Dialogue.''

In 2008, the UAE took the ground-breaking step of hosting the inaugural Ministerial Consultation between Asian destination countries and Colombo Process countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss a comprehensive approach to managing the entire cycle of temporary contractual work that fosters the common interest of countries of origin and destination.

The cycle comprises a broad range of protection measures covering both pre- and post-departure needs of workers, and the protection process starts in the country of origin (for instance, by shielding workers from illegal recruiters), continues after arrival in the country of destination (for instance, through measures curbing abuse and non-payment of wages), and on return and reintegration back home.

The UAE minister called on European Parliament to review the facts thoroughly to distance itself from delivering judgments unrelated to the facts if it wants to maintain its credibility.

FNC First Deputy Speaker condemns EU parliament resolution

The First Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, strongly condemned on Monday the false allegations levelled recently by the EU parliament against the UAE.

"As the FNC's First Deputy Speaker, as a representative of the people of the UAE and a citizen living on its land, I witnessed nothing but goodness from our country. It always protected our dignity and humanity as citizens and guaranteed our rights enshrined in the constitution and laws. Thanks to the wise policies our country, we enjoy the highest levels of development and prosperity, security and stability as citizens and residents. This continued even in the toughest times of political and economic crises that gripped the world around us", said Al Qubaisi.

She continued: "I strongly register my objection and condemnation against the false, hasty and prejudiced claims issued by the EU parliament, which is considered a blatant interference in the affairs of our country aimed at distorting the facts and tarnishing the reputation of UAE and its fair judicial system".

Al Qubaisi expressed astonishment about how a deep-rooted political institution such as the EU parliament can attack the UAE unlawfully without reference to any of the facts existing on the ground and without recourse to the legislative and executive authorities in the UAE to ask for explanation, whether it be about foreign workers, people in custody or empowerment of women.

It was expected from the European Parliament to look at these issues impartially and objectively without relying on biased reports and inaccurate information that carry a lot of false allegations, said Al Qubaisi.

The Deputy Speaker, herself a woman to play such an important political role in the legislative machinery of the country, cited the colossal efforts of the UAE in the area of women empowerment.

"The UAE is the first and the only country in the region and GCC, that gave women the opportunity to take up political leadership in the parliament. I was the only woman from any Arab or Islamic country to head a parliamentary delegation to the 127th IPU congress recently held in Canada", Al Qubaisi noted.

She said: "As for the other two issues pertaining to people in custody in cases relating to security and sovereignty of the state, as well as issues related to foreign workers' rights, it should be noted that the UAE joined all the conventions on human rights and respected them. Moreover, the UAE always held a pioneering position and active role in protecting human rights. UAE became the first Arab country to promulgate anti-human trafficking law in 2006 and set up a national committee to follow up its implementation".

She also noted that the country is a role model for the region and the entire world as more than two hundred nationalities live on its land in tolerance, peace and stability and all their rights are guaranteed by the rule of law.

"We expected the EU Parliament to view these issues with neutrality and objectivity and take into account the operational steps and the significant progress achieved by the UAE in the field of foreign workers' rights. All these achievements are documented clearly in human rights Reports provided by the UAE to various Arab, regional and international human rights institutions and organisations", said Al Qubaisi.

Speaking about the issue of the detainees, who planned to undermine the sovereignty and security of the country, Al Qubaisi noted that the case has been referred to the judicial courts, which will issue fair decision without interference from any one and in line with principles of justice and transparency.

"We, the people of the UAE, will never accept any person to threaten the security of our nation and our citizens", she added.

Al Qubaisi concluded her statement saying "We deplore this prejudiced resolution against UAE and its political security and economic stability. We stand united behind our leadership, who provided us with the best standard of living, security and stability. We will remain loyal to our beloved motherland and will march united under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan".

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