Tuesday, Jul 19, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai A new strategy to tackle labour protests has been approved by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, it was announced yesterday.
The strategic action, prepared by the Supreme Committee for Labour Crisis Management, starts right after receiving a report about labour protest whether via the phone, e-mail or any other method, said Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief and head of the committee. A team will move to the site of the unrest in 15 minutes and specialists should arrive within 45 minutes to find out the reasons behind the action and gather information.
The company’s management or representative will then be summoned, and a meeting will be held with the workers’ chosen representative to discuss the workers’ demands and issues and get an undertaking signed by the company to settle all reasons leading to the unrest, Lt Gen Dahi said.
Specialised authorities will be called to control the unrest if it gets out of control or is accompanied by vandalism. There will also be a follow-up process with the company to ensure that it meets its obligations, and finally, the story will be published in the local press through the committee’s spokesperson.
Lt Gen Dahi said this strategy will be implemented for all cases of labour unrest, but workers demanding their rights will not be given the same treatment as people who go on riots, vandalise public property or terrorise people, which is unacceptable behaviour and benefits no one.
Rebuffing allegations
“The strategy is based on identifying the workers’ demands, communicating them to the company and following up to make sure the company fulfils its obligations,” he said, adding that those creating chaos will be deported in coordination with the Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, after receiving their full financial rights.
Endorsing a strategy to deal with workers who wish to protest signifies the UAE’s stand in supporting the workers that demand their rights and ensuring they get them in a way that preserves security,
The step is also rebuffing allegations by US watchdog Human Rights Watch, which claimed in its latest report that workers in the UAE have no right to organise protests or hold group negotiations and they face problems if they stop working, he said.
By Dina Aboul Hosn ?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
