Dubai, Sep 18 (IANS) The UAE has decided to impose heavy penalties on companies that are found hiring illegal foreign workers, including Indians, from next month.
UAE Minister of Labour Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka’abi Monday approved a new government decision detailing penalties that would be imposed on such firms.
“There are many sponsors who hire illegals as drivers and housemaids. It is a violation of the labour law because there is no protection of the workers’ rights in such cases,” Al Ka’abi told a press conference.
In June, the UAE cabinet had announced a three-month grace period for foreigners present illegally in the country to regularise their status according to the law or leave the country without penalty. The amnesty scheme ended early this month.
“The employers should apply for a work permit and labour card after signing a contract with the labourers. That is to protect the workers’ rights because it is not proper to employ a housemaid and make her work at the company as well,” said Humaid bin Deemas, an assistant undersecretary in the labour ministry.
“Penalties, classified into seven categories, would depend on the kind of violations,” he added.
If a particular firm is found repeatedly flouting the new guidelines, the government can even order the closure of the firm, Khaleej Times reported.
“If we want to control the labour market we should protect the rights of workers. Hence, the minister has stipulated stiff punishments for those hiring illegal workers in the country,” said Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, also assistant undersecretary with the ministry.
There are an estimated 1.4 million expatriate Indians in the UAE, many of them contract workers.