By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS
Dubai : The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has proposed a four-pronged line of action for resolving all labour-related disputes involving expatriate workers.
“We reject all forms of public agitation and violence in regard to settlement of disputes,” India’s Ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmad told IANS over the phone from Abu Dhabi.
He laid out a four-point action plan.
“The committee set up by the UAE government to look into the salary structure and living and working conditions should look into the wage structure of certain companies that are clearly below acceptable standards and ensure that these are revised,” Ahmed said.
Second, there should be a thorough review of the contracting system.
“There should be only one contract with the employer and the employee that is attested by the embassy concerned with a copy available with the UAE authorities. This document alone should be seen as valid and legally enforceable.”
He also called for a grievance redressal system to be put into place.
“There should be a grievance redressal mechanism between the embassy and the UAE government to review grievances and complaints that emerge from time to time,” the ambassador said.
Fourth, the employer should bear the main responsibility for redressal of the workers’ grievances.
“The principal responsibility for redressal of grievances lies with the employer, with the UAE government providing its positive influence and good offices. The role of the embassy is to facilitate dialogue and maintain channels of communication,” he said.
The ambassador’s statement comes after around 4,000 workers of a local engineering firm, including Indians, took to the streets in this Gulf metropolis last month demanding better salaries, accommodation and transport services.
The protest turned violent near the Jebel Ali port area near here when police tried to stop the workers.
Following investigations, it was found that 159 workers, including 90 Indians, were actually involved in the violence. Armed with evidence, the UAE government has initiated strict action against them.
On its part, the UAE cabinet has called for an urgent review of the salaries and living and working conditions of the workers in the booming construction industry here.
A significant proportion of the 1.5 million expatriate Indians in this Gulf nation work as contract workers in the construction industry.