UAE toughens stance on labor violations

The Labor Ministry of the UAE has toughened stance on employers who violate the country’s labor laws.
Mubarak Saeed Al-Dhaheri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor, said his department has referred 32 establishments to the public prosecution in Abu Dhabi.
“We will impose harsh penalties on violating firms,” Al-Dhaheri added.
In addition, the department will sever relations with employers who defy labor rules. They will not be granted new work permits. And there will be no registration of any new facility under their names for six months.
“The Ministry has caught 59 violating workers during three inspection campaigns in Abu Dhabi,” he revealed.
The labor law states that an AED50,000 fine per employee will be slapped on a sponsor who uses laborers not registered under his facility.
The fine increases based on the number of violators found, to a maximum of AED5 million. The owner could also face imprisonment without bail if found violating the laws for the second time.
Al-Dhaheri urged employers and employees to adhere to laws.