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