Rules to protect Indian expatriate workers in UAE

Dubai, Nov 8 (UNI) In a landmark decision that would bring relief to a large number of Indian expatriate workers, UAE Prime Minister and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered sweeping measures to protect their rights and improve their living and working conditions.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the Vice-President of the country ordered the labour minister to ''take all necessary steps to organise the affairs of foreign workers and assure them of all the conditions of health, security and a dignified life, both in their places of residence and at work,'' the official WAM news agency reported.

The measures would include the adoption of a system of health insurance for all categories of workers guaranteeing them health care and medical benefits equivalent to other sectors.

The Vice-President called for an ''efficient and binding mechanism'' to ensure that workers receive their wages with a delay of no more than two months and to change jobs if they wish.

He also ordered the creation of a special court to handle labour complaints and an inspection unit to monitor the application of humanitarian laws and regulations to protect the rights and dignity of foreign workers.

''The UAE will not tolerate any unjust treatment of workers or compromise of their dignity and basic human rights,''he warned.

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