Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Print
Email
Discuss this article (12 Comments)Police chief calls for end of sponsorship in UAE
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 24 June 2009
SPONSOR SYSTEM: Dubai police chief Lt Gen Tamim has called for the sponsorship system to be scrapped. (Getty Images)
Dubai's police chief has called for the abolition of the sponsorship system in a similar move being implemented in Bahrain, it was reported on Wednesday.
Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim said the current sponsorship system was a “burden” on the UAE’s economy and Emiratis and added that there was "talk" among government officials regarding the issue.
"Employment contracts should be between companies and employees," said Lt Gen Tamim told the website of UAE daily The National on the sidelines of a police workshop in Dubai.
"They [employees] should be responsible for their own actions, paper work and medical check ups,” he told the paper.
When asked if the government was currently considering abolishing the system, he said: “I am not quite sure if that's something they are considering, but there is talk.”
He claimed Emiratis would be better off if they didn’t have to be sponsors and added that he had been lobbying for the sponsorship system to be scrapped since 2002.
Bahrain said last month it would scrap its existing sponsorship system for foreign workers in the hope of reducing its need for expatriate labour, a first in a region often criticised by rights groups over the issue.
"We're working on identifying a ceiling on expatriate workers in Bahrain," said Labour Minister Majeed al-Alawi in a statement published by Bahrain's official news agency.
Under the new regulations, foreign workers will be directly sponsored by the LMRA and therefore able to move jobs without the consent of their previous employer.
The changes will be effective from August.
Last week, the director general of the General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) in Qatar said the sponsorship law was not providing enough incentives for nationals to find employment.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, told a labour market strategy forum that the current system was hindering the nation’s development.
He said the current sponsorship law system meant employers tended to recruit foreigners with sub-standard skills on lower salaries.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
More "Pearls" of wisdom from Dahi Khalfan
Posted by VRMR, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on Monday 31 August 2009 at 01:27 UAE time
Hello Sand jokey, in real world police only can become more
efficient than politicians. I doubt your day to day activities are in
politics not in enhancing the country's good name.
Posted by VRMR, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on Monday 31 August 2009 at 01:27 UAE time
Hello Sand jokey, in real world police only can become more
efficient than politicians. I doubt your day to day activities are in
politics not in enhancing the country's good name.
Sponsorhip
Posted by Aji Mathew, Ajman, UAE on Tuesday 25 August 2009 at 20:37 UAE time
Sponsorhip - Company sponsorship Yes to be abolished as this never benifited anyone,(giver and receiver) means the person who takes this money is only wasting his caliber and oppurtunity for his personal growth as he is getting free cash with not much effort.
Employee Sponsorship - Yes it should be done by the country (not the company, employee should be hired by an employment contract only) where he or she is residing and it should be the responsibility of the employee only then they can make their own future with there ability and not compelled by any sponsor(Company).
Posted by Aji Mathew, Ajman, UAE on Tuesday 25 August 2009 at 20:37 UAE time
Sponsorhip - Company sponsorship Yes to be abolished as this never benifited anyone,(giver and receiver) means the person who takes this money is only wasting his caliber and oppurtunity for his personal growth as he is getting free cash with not much effort.
Employee Sponsorship - Yes it should be done by the country (not the company, employee should be hired by an employment contract only) where he or she is residing and it should be the responsibility of the employee only then they can make their own future with there ability and not compelled by any sponsor(Company).
Thumbs up Sunny!
Posted by raja on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 10:46 UAE time
You are absolutely right, I think people are jumping on to comment with out this 'between the line' clarifications.
As you mentioned, if it is for company's sponsoring the labour, locals are not at all effected, bingo! spin!!!
Posted by raja on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 10:46 UAE time
You are absolutely right, I think people are jumping on to comment with out this 'between the line' clarifications.
As you mentioned, if it is for company's sponsoring the labour, locals are not at all effected, bingo! spin!!!
Local sponsors...
Posted by Confused Chappy, Dubai, uae. on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 09:57 UAE time
?????? WHAT are you talking about???? I pay my local sponsor for the privilege of being able to run my company in this country. Are you saying i don't need to pay him soon? Then who will i need to pay? The government? I don't mind paying my sponsors, all be it, he doesn't do all that much for me, but i don't need him to, he turns up once a year to renew my license and takes a fee. if he doesn't get this, were will he get his money from, oh yes, his three other companies he owns and runs, my sponsor works hard for a living, all power to him. This will also make a bigger devide between cultures if they don't have to mingle. It feels like the government would like to tap into the free source of money to me....WE WILL SEE..
Posted by Confused Chappy, Dubai, uae. on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 09:57 UAE time
?????? WHAT are you talking about???? I pay my local sponsor for the privilege of being able to run my company in this country. Are you saying i don't need to pay him soon? Then who will i need to pay? The government? I don't mind paying my sponsors, all be it, he doesn't do all that much for me, but i don't need him to, he turns up once a year to renew my license and takes a fee. if he doesn't get this, were will he get his money from, oh yes, his three other companies he owns and runs, my sponsor works hard for a living, all power to him. This will also make a bigger devide between cultures if they don't have to mingle. It feels like the government would like to tap into the free source of money to me....WE WILL SEE..
Click here to post a comment
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Sport: Westwood extends lead after Race to Dubai's Day 3
- Financial Markets: Saudi index down, banks and petchems weigh
- Real Estate: Merger technical talks to conclude in a month - Emaar
- Banking & Finance: Dubai's Abraaj eyes property investments
- Banking & Finance: Emirates NBD launches bank’s new brand identity
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Dubai Police
| 172 stories- Senior traffic cop calls for licence age to be lowered
25 Oct '09 | News - Speed limit cushion set to drop for Dubai buses, taxis
19 Oct '09 | News - New police team to probe UAE financial crimes
14 Oct '09 | News
Mobile
