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Dubai: Employers who demand money in exchange for passports of workers who wish to rectify their status during the amnesty will be penalised, said a senior ministry official.
Humaid Bin Deemas, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour, told Gulf News that he has been told some employers are demanding money from workers. "This practice is totally unacceptable and sponsors who commit such acts will be penalised," said Bin Deemas.
The Cabinet, in a move to regulate the labour market, had granted a three-month grace period, from June 3, to illegal expatriate workers and their employers to either adjust their status or leave the country without a penalty.
Halting transactions
"Amnesty seekers can file a complaint at the labour relations department if their previous sponsor demands money in exchange for the passport. The ministry will summon the employer and ask him to submit the passport. If he refuses strong measures will be taken," said Bin Deemas.
The ministry will stop the transactions of the sponsor's establishment, impose a Dh10,000 fine and send a letter to the authorities concerned to take action to retrieve the worker's passport, according to Bin Deemas.
The issue of exploitation of the ministry's procedure by some employers came up during a seminar yesterday, for typing office employees on amnesty procedures.
The seminar, organised by the Ministry of Labour, was in English, Arabic and Urdu and provided detailed guidelines to these employees on how to help workers who seek amnesty and need to fill applications.
"We came to understand that not only Public Relations Officers, but also workers go to typing offices to get information about our procedures. We feel they can be our partners in spreading awareness among workers about their rights," said Bin Deemas.
Some 700 typing office employees attended.
Your comments
This is very good rule made by Labour Ministry. It will surely discourage employers from taking advantage of their workers.
Mithun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 15, 2007, 11:54
Legal workers also face similar problems. Sometimes reputed companies resort to all sorts of schemes to make sure that the workers will find it difficult to leave them.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 15, 2007, 11:38
Is it not illegal for employers to keep the passports of their employees? But look at how only a few workers have their passports in hand.
George
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 15, 2007, 11:29
I came to the UAE on a visit visa. I found work as a master cutter but then I absconded after my employer maltreated me. Now, my employer has asked me to pay more than a thousand dirhams in exchange for my passport.
Mila
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 15, 2007, 10:16
Cases like this are common in small companies. I am sure they will be given tough penalties. I hope the same will be imposed on big companies who flout the rules.
Sanil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 15, 2007, 10:02
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