Labourers to be kicked out of Sharjah

RIOT ACT: A new law is intended to restore law and order to Sharjah after a string of violent protests by labourers over pay and conditions. (ITP Images)

Companies not licensed to operate in Sharjah could be stopped from housing construction workers in the emirate who work on jobs elsewhere, under a proposed amendment to UAE labour law, it was reported on Thursday.

Firms would be forced to apply for a trade licence or could face relocating thousands of workers under the new law, which could come into effect within weeks, officials told UAE daily The National.

“Most of the companies are in Dubai, but the workers live in Sharjah,” Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority told the newspaper.

“The companies will be forced to either register their workers in Sharjah or find new accommodation in Dubai or the other emirates.

The move comes as authorities attempt to impose order on the emirate following a string of violent protests by workers over pay and conditions.

“If anything happens, it is usually Sharjah to blame,” Sheikh Sultan said.

More than 600 Asian labourers were arrested in Sharjah at the beginning of April after a protest in the Al-Nahda district.

RELATED: Rioters held over Sharjah rampage

Around 1,500 workers were involved in a riot in March, during which they set fire to management offices, property and vehicles.

RELATED: 1,500 involved in shocking Sharjah riot

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Kicked out?
Posted by Chetan Sathaye on Thursday 15 May 2008 at 11:35 UAE time

Kicked out?? - Appalling!!

Labourers to be kicked out of Sharjah ??
Posted by B.Deva Kumar, Abu Dhabi, U A E on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 16:01 UAE time

"Kicked out" is not a choice word, and is in poor taste. After all we are all human beings...not animals.

Labourers 'kicked' out?
Posted by DSouza on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 11:23 UAE time


Recently the headlines on this site would lead one to believe that either their reporters are naive, sensationalistic, prejudiced, amateurish or just a combination of all of these. And add to it, the fact that reporting is'nt clear on the very matter being reported.

Also, are the said "laborers" defined here strictly as workers from construction sites & the like who have quarters on Sharjah. If that is the case, and i believe it is, how are they to blame for where they have been made to stay? And if they are not to blame, which
is obvious that they are not, then how can u have a headline saying " Labourers will be kicked out" instead of saying something like " Errant companies to be penalised" or so.

Or is it just easy to go for the most softest targets since they dont have much of a voice or rights to be even portrayed rightly where it does matter....here in the press.

But surely there is an Editor doing a job around here, is there? Is it too much to ask for, Dear Editor?

Workers' pay is the problem
Posted by Nafees Ahamed, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 10:29 UAE time


1. Pay is the reason for everything. During the time of increasing of basic items, these labours are deprived of a reasonable salary and accommodation. Their level of education is limited that they show their reaction by strikers. If the employers treat human as human capital and compensate accordingly, there would be less problem.

2. Regarding shifting workers from Sharjah: UAE as a coutnry has to rethink whether they are several countries under a single country!!

3. Problems like these are socio-economic problem rather than business or political related ones. One has to ethic the socio-economic outcomes when making decisions.

Sharjah
Posted by Jacobus, Sharjah, UAE on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 09:34 UAE time


When will this feud between Dubai and Sharjah stop? I think its unhealthy for both emirates. Sharjah's economy will defenitely take a hit if the labourers are moved out of Sharjah. What will be left off areas like Rolla? The next step would probably be to put tollgates up on all the exits to Dubai. Why not just put a tax or levy on these companies? They can use it to fix the roads.

A food for thought with another angle.
Posted by Amar, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 08:34 UAE time


I wonder if Dubai and Sharjah are two emirates (province) of same country or two separate countries. This law will even state that any expatriate having work permitted in Dubai cannot live in Sharjah? What is definition of labroure? What a discriminatory idea!!!

Good Way to go
Posted by Saeed Al Ahmed, Chantilly, US on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 07:49 UAE time

Great Move Sharjah! At least now they have realized this - this will help the exploiting companies not to escape the laws of Dubai and find shelter in Sharjah, also it will help curb the law and order situation in Sharjah which is now worst than some US states. They have at least 10 cars getting stolen and never to be found. This does not even happen in the worst law and order countries. So I believe this will help reduce pressure and control law and order better. As for the workers sympathies to them but they can not take law in their hands - whatever be the excuse. If we were to go by the workers theory we should be setting fire to every landlord's building who is increasing rents. However, that is not correct hence the workers justification is also not correct. They must be arrested and deported - no doubts about that.

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