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euromedmonitor.org
Geneva
THE statement made by the UAE delegation to the Human Rights Council recently, indicating that the country has made great progress in terms of improving labour regulations and protecting contracted labour, contradicts the truth and overlooks the humiliating conditions workers have to endure on a daily basis.
Despite the UAE delegation's affirmation before the UN to promote human rights of workers and enable them to make full investment of their stay in the country, Global Modern Slavery index rates UAE negatively on workers' human rights and demands the adoption of reform strategies and effective policies to protect their rights.
Euro-Med has criticised the exploitation and ill-treatment of workers by their employers, and further denounced the low wages of workers for the cost of living and poor housing conditions there.
Some 26 families of Indian construction workers who have been in the UAE for 3-4 years reported to the state authorities in early October that their children are subjected to cruel and degrading treatment in the UAE construction companies they work at. Families confirmed that their children had been living on the streets for more than 20 days without money because of disputes that happened with their employers. Disputes occurred over the employees' opposition to the harsh conditions they were put under by construction companies, including being forced to work for 16-18 hours a day and living in dilapidated buildings. Although families have filed complaints to the local police in Dubai, no response or efforts have been made yet.
The Euro-Med noted that violations faced by domestic workers most of whom are women include long hours of work, at times reaching 21 hours a day, and the absence of breaks, vacations or rest, all of which are qualities of forced labour. Other violations include workers' vulnerability to psychological, physical and sexual abuse, restricting their residence, and depriving them of wages and food.
In the UAE, if a worker or domestic worker who is exploited or ill-treated complains to the authorities or employment agencies, they are often subjected to further abuse and even imprisonment because employers make false allegations of theft or other crimes against them. In other cases, migrant workers are deported simply once they go to the Ministry of Labour or the police station.
"Threats of deportation, the sponsorship system and the harsh treatment of foreign workers constitute a form of slavery that has pressured workers to hide the violations they face, in fear of sanctions or charges that might be imposed on them if they file any complaints to demand their rights," said Meira Bishara, Euro-Med's legal researcher.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has called on the UAE authorities to ratify ILO Convention No. 189 to ensure the minimum protection of the rights of migrant domestic workers, including the right to freedom of association. Furthermore, the Euro-Med has recommended that the UAE ratify the new Protocol to ILO Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour.
