Latest Information

Following the Panorama programme last week, and the widespread media coverage of the fate of Dubai construction workers, the UAE Ministry of Labour has announced a series of initiatives to address the issues raised.

A spokesperson from the Ministry reported on Friday that they are conducting an education programme for migrant workers. This is said to involve both educational seminars in labour camps and the development of a workbook setting out the obligations of employers, what the employee should expect and what action they should do if they are not met.

In addition, the Ministry reported that they are to extend their Indian information campaign about phony recruitment agencies that take advantage of workers in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, where awareness of abuses is low.

Impactt welcomes such initiatives by the Ministry, as they recognise the need to address the gap in information available and accessible to workers. By providing workers with the tools to understand their legal rights in their own language, violations are less likely to occur and where they do, the government is more likely to be aware of them.

By educating people in their home country, before they arrive in the UAE, and monitoring the recruitment process from the outset, the Ministry are tackling some of the problems at source. Overall, this announcement demonstrates that the Ministry has recognised that inspections cannot be the whole answer and is taking a realistic and hands-on approach to improving the lives of Dubai’s thousands of migrant workers.

To strengthen this approach still further, Impactt recommends two further initiatives.  First that the Ministry consult workers to ensure that policies and programmes meet workers needs. Second that the ministry provide a free, independent and widely publicised whistle-blowing helpline in workers’ own languages so workers can report abuses without fear of reprisal, and the government can act quickly to improve the situation.