Ruler of Dubai lays down labour camp law

UAE Minister of Labour HE Saqr Ghobash. (Getty Images)

The office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is to impose new minimum standards across all labour camp accommodation in the Emirate, Construction Week can reveal.

The move was revealed by UAE Minister of Labour HE Saqr Ghobash during an impromptu speech at a seminar on Labour and Human Rights, hosted by the Ministry of Labour this morning.

The standard of accommodation in Dubai’s labour camps has come under heavy international criticism following the broadcast of a BBC documentary, which claimed an Arabtec-run camp was filthy and overcrowded.

“Accommodation standards are to be dealt with by His Highness,” Ghobash said. “They will include the highest standards that have been established internationally.’

According to Ghobash, once the new standards have been announced, contractors will be given a set grace period, which he defined as “a reasonable period of time,” before any penalties are imposed upon those failing to comply.

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT its a good news for the betterment dubai life style   3 Comments Read more comments »

The new standards will cover all newly constructed labour camps as well as those already housing workers.

“Any accommodation built in the future will have to apply with the new law,” Ghobash said, “while existing accommodation will have to be changed to meet the existing requirements of His Highness.”

There was no mention of a timeframe concerning the introduction of the new standards, nor of the penalties that would be imposed upon contractors which breach the regulations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour team that has been investigating the claims made by the Panorama documentary will shortly present its findings to the authority.

“The team has visited several locations,” UAE Ministry of Labour senior advisor Alex Zalami told CW.

“The documentary did not name the locations, so the team had to visit the premises of the companies that were named. My understanding is that they will shortly be presenting this report to the department.”

---