A group of 19 workers who arrived in the UAE with legal work visas say they are now being passed around to other companies and they are not working for their sponsor.
The workers yesterday complained to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Dubai about the practice, which is illegal. They also filed complaints about unpaid salaries and overtime as well as poor living accommodations.
"We were brought in on the sponsorship of an Abu Dhabi-based construction company five months ago," one worker said. "Ever since then, we have been working for two other companies in Dubai. We have never worked for our sponsor whom we have never seen."
Ministry officials have told the workers to file a complaint with the Abu Dhabi labour office.The group also complained that the cost of the airfare, entitled to them under the law, is being deducted from their salary and the employer has failed to provide them with labour cards, which is also illegal.
An official from the Dubai company where they are working said the workers are being paid regularly, "no later than the 20th of each month."
The official, however, admitted the workers did not receive June's salary and that the airfare was being deducted from their salary as per an agreement reached with the workers.
"There is a partnership agreement between the Abu Dhabi company and the one in Dubai that entitles any of them to sponsor workers and lend them to the other company."
Labour officials are trying to eliminate the practice of companies illegally using the talents of skilled workers and hiring them out for higher salaries to unlicenced subcontractors.
Burdened with having to issue more than 500,000 work permits annually, including 300,000 for construction workers, the ministry plans to set up a unit to curb the number of workers, prevent disputes and make optimal use of their services.
"The move is part of a new structure that will help the ministry to formulate future labour policy to allow for efficient management of the labour market while encouraging social and economic development and employment security for UAE nationals," a labour official said.
"The unit will be tasked with managing workers of construction and maintenance companies. It will help satisfy companies' requirements of workers quickly and efficiently and will keep these workers employed throughout their contracts."
The workers, including masons, carpenters, scaffolding workers, plumbers and painters will be granted work permits for a term that will depend on the company's contractual projects. It is also suggested that the service of these workers will be terminated if they remain unemployed for two weeks.
Certain companies will continue applying to bring in these workers on their sponsorship. Once these companies complete their projects, they can offer the services of their workers to other companies through the proposed unit under a seconding system.
"This will cut down on the number of workers, reduce costs for companies and help keep workers employed, thereby curbing or preventing disputes between workers and employers, particularly over non-payment of salaries," the official said.
No labour cards, salary deductions
* The workers were recruited by an Abu Dhabi-based company, but ever since been loaned to two Dubai-based companies.
* The workers said the original company was deducting cost of airfare from their salaries.
* The workers said they have not been provided with labour cards.
Gulf News
