May 19, 2008
UAE plays host to 3.1 million workers from 202 countries, report says
Workers from 202 countries form the 3.1-million-strong foreign labour force in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a report released by the country’s ministry of labour.
Between 800,000 and one million of the workers are from India and are estimated to be labourers in the construction industry. During 2006 and 2007, the UAE pursued active bilateral co-operation with labour exporting countries by signing memorandums of understanding designed to tackle illegal recruitment agencies.
In order to combat labour practices that place the rights of workers at risk, the UAE government has adopted key initiatives including officially extending the right of workers to transfer employer sponsorship to all labour sectors in order to facilitate job movement. It also created bank guarantees that earmark funds for worker compensation.
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