The expatriates in the UAE remitted more than $20 billion back to their home countries in 2012, according to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

This reference came in a report about the protection the country provides to its foreign workers.

The UAE government has substantively reformed its laws to address the concerns that expatriate workers are being exposed to poor practices or mistreatment, including the withholding of travel documents, human trafficking, or non-payment of wages, said the report.

Many of the challenges relating to the implementation of labor rights in the UAE are concentrated around blue-collar workers in the construction field.

The country considers it a priority to work on an ongoing basis to improve their conditions.

State news agency WAM, quoting Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said recent measures had ranged from outlawing employer confiscation of workers’ passports to allowing workers to transfer sponsorship between employers and introducing wage protection measures.

The UAE has ratified nine major International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions related to the rights of workers.

According to the report, the UAE has taken strong action to enforce the law on conditions of work. The cabinet issued resolution imposing high fines on firms that do not ensure the basic rights of workers.

Last year, the Ministry of Labor conducted 138,801 inspections, 11,807 visits to inspect the standards of accommodation and 80,571 visits to ensure workers were not working during the peak hours of summer heat. In total, 1,015 cases were transferred to the prosecutors.

Substantial penalties have been imposed for violations relating to working conditions and workers’ rights.

The country maintains strict rules regarding the provision of proper accommodation for workers.

In addition, the country has taken steps to enforce the fair and timely payment of salaries: In 2009, the Ministry of Labor introduced a Wage Protection System that ensures the timely payment of salaries to foreign workers.

In addition, all workers are provided with, at the cost of the employer, a comprehensive health insurance that does not impose any financial burden on the worker, said the report.