Hosted by Mohamed bin Huwaiden in Sharjah
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, July 8th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

H.E Mohamed bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, member of the Advisory Council of Sharjah, hosted a Ramadan Council at his residence in Al Dhaid.  Participants at the council, organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, stressed the need to document all laws and legislations enacted and approved by the UAE pertaining to laborers, so as to be accessible to workers’ rights organizations and authorities.

The speakers praised the government’s efforts regarding laborers; stressing that the UAE is a leading model in protecting the rights of the migrant workers. To this end, the wise UAE Government has dedicated the utmost attention to provide all workers with the requirements of a decent life, by enacting several resolutions, laws, plans, and programs that fit well with the UAE Vision 2021, which underlines the Ministry’s commitment to materializing its vision of having a vibrant, stable labor market and a highly productive workforce to support a competitive knowledge-based economy centered on the UAE national. Moreover, participants called for establishing clear and appropriate laws and legislations for domestic workers, aimed at protecting the rights of both workers and their employers.

In his speech at the opening of the session, media personality Mohamed Al Raisi from Sharjah Media Corporation praised the Ramadan Councils that are organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the Ministry of Interior; stressing that convening such councils is an opportunity to submit and exchange views and to promote cooperation between the ministry and the various society institutions in the UAE.  

Al Raisi pointed out that the UAE has given top priority to protecting workers’ rights, based on international best professional and legislative standards.

In his opening speech, Mohamed bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, extended his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for the initiatives launched by the Ministry of Interior. He also praised the idea of Ramadan Councils organized by the MOI in the UAE nationals’ councils across the country.

He added: “These councils represent an innovative and leading idea that contribute to boost communication between citizens and decision-makers in the UAE; and enable citizens to express their views and ideas freely on the topics raised.”

Furthermore, he noted that Ramadan Councils held during the Holy Month of Ramadan play a vital and active role in achieving communication and cohesion among community members during the Holy Month. He said: “These councils are an original approach and are deeply rooted in the UAE society’s traditions and usages. They have always been a tool to reunite members of society of all ages and categories, to discuss topics related to community affairs in all areas.”

For his part, H.E Hamid bin Dimas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor, praised the idea of the Ramadan Councils organized by the Ministry of Interior, which tackle several important topics that serve the UAE society. He also elaborated on the fundamental workers’ rights model in the UAE, which includes, most notably the moral and ethical commitment to treating workers humanely, underlining that they are the key partner in the development process in the UAE. He also highlighted the higher leadership’s constant commitment to protect and reassert workers’ rights, and instructing the competent authorities to ensure that workers are being treated fairly and that their financial rights are protected, among other things. He also stressed the need for establishing a balanced and clear relation between workers and their employers. All these measures would efficiently contribute to create a stable work market that boosts the UAE economy.

Additionally, Bin Dimas gave an overview of the various legislations and laws that regulate the work market and protect workers’ rights. They include, the Wages Protection System that the UAE was the first and leading country to implement, and was emulated by authorities in many countries of the region.  He also pointed out to the decision issued by the ministry to give a mandatory midday break for laborers who work in the sun during the summer months.

Khalifa bin Huwaiden, Federal National Council (FNC) member, elaborated on the most notable legislations and laws discussed at the FNC pertaining to rights of workers and other society segments. He reasserted that the notes and proposals submitted by the FNC members in this regarded have received significant support and were implemented by the UAE leadership.

For his part, Saeed Musabbah Al Ka’bi, Director of Sharjah Educational Zone, discussed the most important rights provided to citizens and residents of the UAE in the field of education. He cited certain humanitarian cases of students whose countries are currently in dire situation, who are provided with the right to education as well as financial support.

Dr. Abdullah Nasser Hilal, President of the Federal Court of Al Dhaid, highlighted the various procedures undertaken by the country’s courts during the different stages of litigation, taking into account the rights of the accused, regardless of their nationalities and professions. These procedures include providing a legal interpreter for those who do not speak Arabic and assigning lawyers in some cases.

He also tackled the family steering committee and reconciliation committees in courts, pointing out that the Ministry of Justice has issued directives to the courts to expedite proceedings in labor-related cases.

For his part, Rashid Abdullah Al Muhyan, member of the Sharjah Consultative Council SCC), praised the idea of Ramadan councils, indicating that the relationship between workers and their employers in the UAE is based on tolerance, where employees are treated fairly and provided with all their rights.

Abdul Rahman Salem Al Hajri, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), indicated that the UAE has outranked several countries in the region when it comes to workers’ rights. “I’ve noticed, after meeting several migrant workers and foreign employers, that the UAE is highly praised for its policies towards workers. Some of them even went on to say that they are sometimes denied such an equitable treatment in their home countries,” he said.

Moreover, Al Hajiri stressed the need to have  competent authorities in the country that provide scientific and legal response to reports on ill treatment of workers who work in the UAE, particularly since the UAE has a proven record of legislations and laws that provide fair and equitable treatment to laborers and guarantee all their rights.

For his part, Khaled Saqr Al Marri, Chairman of the Sharjah Neighborhood Council, emphasized the need to document all legislations in the area of human rights in the UAE, to be submitted to international organizations and bodies, with a view to keep them informed of the UAE’s achievements in this aspect.

Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for health centers and clinics, talked about the health rights of Emirati nationals, residents, and visitors to the UAE, as well as the healthcare services provided to them across the country.

Lecturers at the council included Colonel Staff Dr. Ali Salim Al Tunaiji, Deputy Commander of Special Security Forces at the Ministry of Interior, who highlighted the complementary relationship between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor regarding the workers’ category and their rights. He also tackled the issue of the civilized means adopted by the UAE in the resolution of labor disputes between employers and workers.

For their part, Major Rashid Al Obad and Major Mohammed Khalifa gave an overview of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, as well as its jurisdictions and roles.

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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