UAE MINISTRY OF LABOR INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000194

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, DRL
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR AARON ROSENBERG
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV SOCI GTIP AE
SUBJECT: UAE MINISTRY OF LABOR INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED
NEW LABOR LAW


1. (SBU) Summary. On February 5 the UAE Ministry of Labor published
a revised labor law on a special web site and invited public
comment. The law mainly provides for new ways to encourage
"Emiratization." Contrary to what Embassy had been led to believe,
the law does not adddress collective bargaining or rights of
association although it does contain a reference to dispute
resolution. End Summary.


2. (U) On February 5, the UAE Ministry of Labor published the draft
of its revised labor law on the internet and invited the public to
comment on it. The www.uaelabourlaw.net website will remain active
for two months. UAE Minister of Labor, Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, told the
press that his ministry will use the public feedback and suggestions
in deciding what will be included in the draft law before it is
submitted to the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) for final
approval.


3. (U) The draft law mainly focuses on measures to boost
nationalization of jobs for Emiratis and ways to combat illegal
workers and illegal labor firms. The law also stipulates that "an
employer has the right to terminate a worker's services if he stops,
participates or instigates others to stop working". We have not
been able to find any reference to collective bargaining or rights
of association.


4. (SBU) On February 5 shortly before the law was put on the web,
Econoff met with Obaid al Zahmai, Assistant Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Labor (MOL),and Yousif al Noor, Labor Advisor to the
MOL, to discuss the proposed labor law. Neither al Zahmai nor al
Noor would comment if the new law contained labor union or
collective bargaining provisions, but said the proposed law would
include provisions for settlement of labor disputes. They explained
that the Minister would announce that the law would be put out for
comment at an "invitation only" event, but declined to extend an
invitation to econoff.


5. (SBU) Comment. The absence of any provisions for collective
bargaining or rights of association is disappointing, especially
since Ministry of Labor officials have repeatedly stressed that the
law would comply with International Labor Organization standards.
The fact that the Ministry of Labor (MOL) posted the draft law
online and is accepting comments on the law, however, is a positive
step forward in terms of UAEG transparency, one Embassy has been
encouraging for several years. Econoff attempted to contact the MOL
to ascertain why the new law does not contain any provisions for
labor unions or collective bargaining, but so far has been unable to
reach officials. Post will continue to follow up with the MOL. End
comment.
SISON