Abu Dhabi: The amnesty given to illegal workers in the country has achieved its goals, said Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, the Assistant Deputy Labour Minister.
Two hundred and eighty six thousand workers have amended their status or left the country during the three month amnesty period granted.
Al Zahmi considered the number of illegal workers who cooperated to be a big success. The data available at the ministry of labour indicates the presence of 300,000 to 350,000 illegal workers in the country. The data was accumulated from registered cases of workers escaping.
Al Zahmi also said that it is very important to invest in the success of the amnesty through the active cooperation and coordination of representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Labour Ministry, Municipality, Free zones, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and all centres responsible for issuing licences.
Joint mechanism
With the setting up of a unified joint mechanism, panels that are involved in the organisation of the job market and the general policy, should put together a timetable for inspection campaigns.
He said labour inspectors face a risk during their search for violators because they lack security, adding that some workers hide in farms, industrial and remote areas. "The violators even collaborate among themselves when labour inspectors are about to catch them, a situation which could endanger the life of inspectors. Therefore, police are required to protect them while on duty," Al Zahmi said.
He added that some construction companies recruit a larger number of workers than they actually require. Also, some shop owners conceal illegal workers so that they can employ them with lower salaries.
Meanwhile, he added, some free zones recruit workers then allow them to work with other employers.
Violation
Al Zahmi urged employers and UAE nationals not to employ illegal workers or provide them with shelter, warning that such a conduct is a blatant violation of labour laws.
He reiterated that absconding workers cause a social and economic challenge because some have complained to international organisations that they face injustice and do not receive their dues.
Al Zahmi said "such conduct affects the reputation of the country abroad." He added that "upon verifying their claims, it was found that they had violated labour and residency laws in the country."
He warned that legal action will be taken against illegal workers now that the amnesty period has expired. Otherwise, he said, the number of violators could double once again.
He said the Ministry of Labour supervises over 2.9 million workers employed by 285,000 firms, adding that due to the limited number of inspectors, not all labour sites can be inspected.
Al Zahmi said the UAE takes into consideration a number of pro-safety and pro-health measures ordered by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure foreign workers receive their rights, including providing them with suitable accommodation.
