Some of the salient features of the new labours laws are protection against discrimination and harrassment, equal pay for women, fixed -term employment contracts, provisions for employees to take on full-time, part-time, temporary or flexible work, notice period and reasons for terminations.
The new labour laws that will take effect from February 2 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to benefit thousands of Non Resident Indian (NRI) workers as some of the provisions will provide greater protection to employees and more flexibility at work places, a report in The Hindu by Biju Govind, says.
Employees both in government and private sectors will have a similar working environment.
Some of the salient features of the new labours laws are protection against discrimination and harrassment, equal pay for women, fixed -term employment contracts, provisions for employees to take on full-time, part-time, temporary or flexible work, notice period and reasons for terminations.
Abu Dhabi – based legal consultant M.R. Rajesh described the new labour enactments as a new magna carta in the UAE.
“The formation of a supreme arbitration committee for collective labour disputes shows the UAE government’s responsibility and commitment towards dealing with workplace irregularities,” he said.
However many NRIs are sceptical “The new laws look very attractive. But it all depends how many of them will be implemented in the long-terme seen,” social critic and observer of Arab policies, Mohammed Hashim, based in Dubai, the report said.
Many believe that executive regulations are required to clarify certain provisions. Certainly the changes will be made to employment contracts, policies and practises.
“The formation of a supreme arbitration committee for collective labour disputes shows the UAE government’s responsibility and commitment towards dealing with workplace irregularities,” he said.
“The restrictions on working hours may adversely affect a project span. Clients should allow more time to contractors to avoid fines,” Binu Sankarankutty, MEP Project Head, in UAE,” said.
An Indian investor and CEO of ATC Group of companies, Salahuddin Hassan, has raised concerns about some clauses over categories on the unskilled workers applying for job visas to the UAE.
An estimated 34.25 lakh Indian expatriates live in the UAE. Of this, 7.74 lakh constitute the Kerala diaspora. The UAE ranks number one in the world as far as the NRIs’ population goes.
For non-residents, especially the majority of Indians, Suresh Kumar, an IT Advisor in Abu Dhabi, said these positive changes are great blessings. For the first time the UAE recognises part-time working where an employee may be employed with two or more employers in the private sector.
“These reforms will improve the morale of the people and give more time for their personal and mental wellness. Additional maternity and paternity leaves also help in caring for their newborn,“ he added.
“The UAE has seen a slew of reforms in recent times. These include ending the licensing system for buying alcohol, bringing in 21 plus age rating of movies in theatres, decriminalising consensual relationship out of wedlock, introducing a two-and-a-half-day weekend as well as long-term residency options,” says the report.
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