UAE to open labour office in Delhi

Abu Dhabi, Oct 23 (UNI) The UAE will open labour offices in Delhi with a view to protect immigrant workers's rights and ending the disputed role of recruitment agencies.

The announcement came as a result of a meeting between the UAE Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi and visiting Indian Minister of Overseas Affairs Valayar Ravi, Khaleej Times reported.

These offices will educate the workers about the labour laws and customs of the UAE before they move to the country in search of work.

Dr Al Ka'abi discussed the implementation of the Memoranda of Understanding signed between the two countries on labour issues.

The two leaders also discussed a host of important issues, including labour contracts and labour strikes for salary increase with the visiting minister.

He also apprised the Indian Minister of the administrative measures taken by his ministry to deport those who provoked the strikes and appreciated the steps taken by the Indian government against unscrupulous recruitment agencies, adding that these would contribute to the protection of workers's rights.

Mr Ravi has welcomed the decision to open labour offices in the country.

Mr Ravi was also apprised of the proposed ceiling on the stay of unskilled labours in the country at six years (under the 3+3 formula) which will be considered by the GCC labour ministers in Riyadh next month.

He said the three-month amnesty period granted by the UAE government had helped a large number of illegal workers to regularise their status.

Mr Ravi added that around 50,000 Indian workers used the time to legalise their stay, noting that India had attuned the migration laws of the country to the requirements of the grace period.

Stringent penalties, including fines and ban have been announced to rein in unscrupulous recruitment agencies, he said.

The Minister also urged the UAE to brief India on measures it intends to take to protect the workforce.

He said the Indian workers in the UAE are 'good' and 'law-abiding'.

He called on the UAE government to extend the labour laws on the domestic helpers also.

Dr Al Ka'abi also held a seperate meeting with the Philippine Secretary for Labour and Employment Arturo D Brion and discussed the issue of labour laws.

UNI