UAE to eliminate human trafficking

The Ministry of Labour received over 2,000 calls since the beginning of this year regarding different issues related to workers.

The figures were released during the two-day conference held recently on ‘Human Trafficking and How Middlemen and Recruitment Agencies Can Contribute to the Solution’.

The event was organised to help people benefit from important research in the field and to develop methods through social framework to which different local sectors can contribute to eliminate human trafficking.

Maher Hamad Al Obed, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs, member of the Permanent Committee for Follow Up on the International Human Rights Report, member of the Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in the UAE pointed out that the number of calls in the UAE has increased year after year – from 1,985 in 2012 to 2,600 in 2014 for a number of reasons.

"One of them that is the country is growing and more people are coming to the UAE to find working chances. However, not all of these calls were related to actual human trafficking cases. Most of them were about unfair working conditions, wage disputes, non-payment of salaries, among others," he said.

Human trafficking is exists all over the world because of the economic crises people were trying to find a source of income and people who have a hand in human trafficking took advantage of this by giving them a hope for a better life.  

Human trafficking  includes prostitution, forced labor, slavery, selling organs.

“The government vision is to have a strong relationship with  those working in the UAE which will enhance the economy and uphold human dignity,” said Al Obeda.

He also assured that all workers have the right to change their work in case they faced any bad treatment or have ended their working period in one place.

“Getting private recruitment agencies involved is of prime importance as such agencies are the first point of contact with workers.

“This will not be possible without the joint efforts of government entities and social bodies represented by civil society organizations; with the objective of combating this international parasitical phenomenon, eliminating the effects thereof from our society, achieving regional and international collaboration, exchanging experiences and qualifying cadres that are capable to professionally address this alien problem,” said a statement.

The conference is being held as part of the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking, promote human rights, introduce the best practices and experiences in the field and raise the awareness of the community and its institutions.

UAE wishes to become free from human trafficking; which is a matter of national obligation based on our religious teachings and ethical values.
 

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