Workers to benefit from first labour handbook

dubai — The UAE will educate over one million workers about their rights and duties with the launch of its first labour handbook. The guidelines will help curb labour-related violations, officials have said.

Major-General Obaid Mohair bin Surour, deputy director of the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), said the new directory is available in Arabic, Urdu and English. “The

guidelines, which will be distributed for free to over one million workers in Dubai, is a model for all workers here to start their practical life in line with the country’s laws.”

Major-General Obaid added: “We are keen to prevent any violations of workers’ rights, help them be fully responsible and correctly understand what they should and should not do, because some are not aware of the law.”

Major-General Obaid said the labour reference book, prepared by specialised committees under the supervision of the Dubai Government and Legal Affairs Department, consists of three main sections.

“These are Welcome to the UAE, Know Your Duties and Responsibilities and Enjoy your time in UAE.

Although the handbook will eventually be given to one million workers, the permanent committee of labour affairs (PCLA) in Dubai will initially distribute it to 100,000 workers at Dubai medical fitness centres’ training centres — mainly in Al Muhaisana and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) areas.

“Dubai workers will be aware of due safety procedures at worksites in a way that has a positive impact on the labour market of the emirate and meet its 2021 plan to be the best place for living and working.”

The book launch comes shortly after the PCLA unveiled the details of a planned smart app.

The PCLA will also focus more on recreational activities for the workers in its 2018 training plan.