The Hindu : National : UAE proposes smart card

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 07, 2006

National

National

UAE proposes smart card

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have outlined an elaborate mechanism to protect workers employed in the emirates.

During talks between the visiting Minister for Overseas Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, and the UAE Labour Minister, Ali Bin Abdullah al-Kaabi, it was agreed that a memorandum of understanding would be drafted to guide all aspects concerning the rights and obligations of Indian migrant workers.

Mr. Al-Kaabi said the UAE Government proposed to issue a "smart card" that would electronically record all details about an employee, including the terms of employment, passport details and the employer's name. The card would minimise the problems that workers face when their employers take away their passports and use it as a means of coercion.

At a press conference, Mr. Ravi said Mr. Al-Kaabi had assured him that workers would have the right to establish and visit their place of worship inside labour camps.

Also a committee, comprising representatives of the embassy or consulate and authorities from the host government, would pay regular visits to the labour camps.

Mr. Ravi hoped that such a mechanism would help address the problems of workers as they arose.

The UAE recently witnessed a spurt in labour unrest, including two cases where Indian workers resorted to violence. The protests were triggered by irregular payment of wages and inhospitable working conditions.

Mr. Ravi said while the UAE authorities were ready to address genuine grievances, violence was unacceptable.

He advised workers to tap the grievance redress mechanisms available at the Indian embassy.

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