US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI1436

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001436 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, DRL AND EB/CBA 
STATE PASS OPIC/OPIC INTERNATIONAL POLICY DEPARTMENT FOR 
VIRGINIA GREEN AND CONSTANCE SHINN 
STATE PASS USTR JASON BUNTIN 
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB, PHUM, PGOV, PREL, SOCI, CVIS, GTIP, TC 
SUBJECT: LABOR CONDITIONS REPORT DELIVERED TO PRESIDENTIAL COURT 
 
1. SUMMARY:  The UAE Ministry of Labor has submitted a new 14- 
point recommendation report on workers' rights to the office of 
the President and the Dubai Executive Council for review.  The 
report's aim is to address the "growing tide of complaints 
against employers, primarily over unpaid wages and substandard 
working conditions," according to the local press.  This report 
is different from the long-awaited update to the labor law and 
related amendments.  The Council of Ministers is expected to 
complete review of the proposed labor law in June or July.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2. Labour and Social Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Khalid Al 
Khazraji told the press that the MOL's recommendations include 
measures to allow workers to form unions to protect their 
rights, as well as to penalize companies that fail to meet labor 
rules on pay and working conditions.  These penalties could 
include fines, referral to a judicial committee, increased 
monitoring by the ministry, and restrictions on further dealings 
with the ministry.  Employers who fail to comply would be forced 
to correct their ways before licenses will be renewed.  Problem 
companies would also be required to pay larger bank guarantees 
for each foreign worker before receiving ministry approval. 
 
3. The report also proposes to create a judicial committee to 
look into group labor disputes, and to increase the powers of 
labor inspectors and labor relations departments to better 
monitor work conditions and carry out arbitration more 
effectively. The proposal also aims to close loopholes that lead 
to "visa trading" by mandating that employers make a specific 
job offer to a potential foreign employee before the issuance of 
a work permit.  Employers would be required to submit details of 
the job along with the application of the permit. 
 
4. According to press reports, the MOL also plans to create a 
national health and occupation safety agency, comprised of 
officials from the Ministry of Health, the Civil Defence 
Department, and UAE civic bodies, with the assistance of the 
International Labor Organization (ILO).  The agency, which will 
serve in both executive and consultative roles, will ensure that 
safety rules in the workplace are being met. 
 
ALBRIGHT