ABU DHABI: The UAE government has established an office for the protection of workers’ salaries. According to an order issued by Labor Minister Saqr Ghobash, the office will report to the Director of Inspection Affairs.
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Ghobash said that the office will be tasked to formulate an integral system for monitoring salaries, work hours and implementation of the salary transfer system through banks and other financial institutions.
The office will also establish a communication network with the companies to encourage them to make timely payment of salaries and to receive any grievances about non-payment of salaries. “The office will suggest mechanism for penalties on defaulting companies. It will also contribute in the dispute settlement efforts arising from non-payment,” he said.
The office’s main objective is to help avoid any future salary-related problems. It will have an autonomous organizational structure that will enable it to perform its tasks with diligence and efficiency.
“The government and the Ministry (of Labor) are particularly concerned with safeguarding UAE’s image in international arenas. The foreign workers issue receives special attention from Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum since the UAE has become a top destination for investments and businesses from all over the world.” Ghobash said that more than 400,000 workers currently receive their salaries through exchange companies. “The local exchange companies have shown a great interest in ending the workers salaries problems and in investing in the salary-transfer infrastructure and technology to serve over 1.9 million foreign workers in the UAE,” he added. Ghobash noted that most of the public sector institutions pay their workers salaries on time.
“Nevertheless, there are some practices by few companies. The ministry is now working to remove all obstacles that prevent workers from regularly getting their salaries,” he said.
Asked whether the salaries drawn by the workers were fair enough, Ghobash said the Ministry will discuss the matter with the private sector.
“We trust that the private sector understands the importance of this matter and I am confident we will reach suitable solutions.”
