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Poll shows 65% support minimum wage for labourers
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Monday, 20 April 2009
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Results 1 to 14 of 14
Posted on Friday, 25 September 2009
Minimum wages of labor camp´s workers
Posted by maribel jurado at 14:06 UAE time
Could anyone tell me how much is the minimum wage for a labor camp worker, and how much of that amount it has to be paid as a the acommodation's rent?
Thank you so much for your help
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Posted on Wednesday, 22 April 2009
To Ametis re minimum wages
Posted by Carmel at 11:48 UAE time
Apoligies Ametis maybe I came across what seemed in opposition to what you were saying and though a lot of what you have said I agree with totally. Thank you for an insight into what have been life struggles for you and for your role in the cancellation of licences for those who did not do the right thing by workers. I did not read all your postings but the one I responded to and yes I have worked overseas and know what it's like working and living off $300 a month but I chose to do that. Once again I agree with most of what you have said but wages for certain category of workers should not be negotiable. Maybe they can introduce "Collective Bargaining".
I'm gald you mentioned what the Australian Government has done and yes apply it here. That's my home country.
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agent fees
Posted by spider at 04:34 UAE time
i guess it all because of the high agent fee the worker pays. Its averaging from 8,000 - 13,000 dirhams just for the agent fee. Why the agent collect the fee from the worker ? the employer should absorb all expenses for the worker. OK.. fine.. what happens if the worker terminates his employment in a short period after employer pays all the workers fee? .. To overcome this .. the worker pays all fee and employer should refund the fee to the worker after 6-8 months of employment.
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Posted on Tuesday, 21 April 2009
I second Ametis
Posted by Kaptain at 22:16 UAE time
Visit visas too should have a clause to allow work with them. This happens in Europe and Americas. And seeing the condition of UAE where people are running away, Visit Visas would be amended with work clause.
Mostly, the laws that are promulgated in UAE, take effect in June, so expect something like this. UAE cannot, I repeat CANNOT, afford exodus of EXPATS, hello. Know your dignity.
Rather than fishing, labourers should be educated to share photos and maintain blogs so that construction companies are on their toes, 'everytime' on ethics each single day.
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In reply to carmel
Posted by ametis at 16:57 UAE time
Carmel, Idont think you are reading what I am writting, but seeing what you want to see..
And if you were to read back all my postings, I am harking on about workers should be treated with dignity..
I stick by my statements concerning salary, and to be honest with you if a man does not know what is the minimum salary he needs to keep his family afloat, without having to take on the burden of additional debt, than he should not take the job on...
Yes I have walked in those shoes, have you??
I know the pain of hunger, I know the pain of need, but unless I was kidnapped and taken into slavery I would not willingly take on a debt to travells thousands of miles for a salary that I KNOW will not be sufficient...
Many suffered thorugh the potatoe famine without going overseas for more pain...
I will again also repeat what I have said in the past, sad thing is that most of these people are put in ths position by their own countrymen out of greed...
And when they are in that positiopns sadly no way out, Agents should be regulated by the Governments of relevant countries..
Employers duty is to treat workers with dignity..
Salaries are open for negotiation...
To end let me tell you that I have worked in nearly every part of the world, so I do have experience..
While I was living in another GCC country in mid 80's I was responsibble for having commercial licenses of several compnies cancelled for the harsh treatment of workers..
To end I think if UAE governenment is looking at minimum wages, they should perhaps take a leaf out of Australian Government conditions for even temporary working visas, The employer must adhere to a minimum wage...
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Re: to Ametis & Carmel
Posted by Kevin at 16:56 UAE time
Aplogies Ametis, what I meant by a "good life" is exactly what you described - couldn't have put it better words my self.
& yes, I second Carmel - it shouldn't be a negotiable deal - because salaries are controlled completely by the employers - we have what is called the "Poverty Line" today..
800 Dhs for a worker -
3.5 dhs for a meal (105 dhs a month and this is only 1 meal a day we are talking about) - does any one find something wrong in the math?
I've been to UAE - I've seen the cost of living first hand.
Honestly, it's a blessing at least the company is providing housing.
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Minimum Wages for Labourers
Posted by Carmel at 15:32 UAE time
In response to Ametis saying that salaries should be up for negotiation is total rubbish in certain areas of employment. First of all not every human being has expert skill in negotiating for what he should be paid because just like what you said " if you don't like the salary just don't take the job" it will always favour the employer to keep paying just what he wants to pay while the person who really values and wants to work has to succumb to the conditions set out by the employer. Certain working conditions should be a God given right and not something you have to fight for. Maybe we should all reflect a lot more on that famous saying "Walk a mile in my shoes". The labourer's shoes.
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miniumum wages+ agents
Posted by ametis at 09:34 UAE time
While introducing minimum wage, the authorities will also need to introduce legislation to ensure prompt payment of wages.
I find it incredible that in n Islamic country that workers are allowed to be treated in this way.
Sharia law states that “man should be paid his days wages, before the sweat on his forehead has dried”, yet some workers are not being paid for months and months, while the boss of the company is every night in an 5 star restaurant enjoying himself….#
I might add that this is not from his efforts but the money of the workers that he has not paid.
With regards to the unscrupulous recruitment agents, I strongly feel that the relevant governments of the home country should take measures to ensure that they are not allowed to continue such treatment, and should be licensed same as in other countries.
From experience I have found that you get much more out of a worker if you treat him as a human being…………
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Supply & Demand
Posted by Peter at 09:13 UAE time
The minimum wage might make the 325 respondents feel better by assuaging their guilt, but I hope they also realise that it would not necessarily be a good thing for the labourers. Although there is some dispute on the issue, there is a strong economic argument that a minimum wage would actually lead to fewer employment opportunities for labourers, even if they were willing to work at a lower salary level.
The problem is not a minimum wage. If someone is willing to accept a particular salary then that is their choice to make. However, what is required is clear and effective enforcement of the construction companies' legal obligations. Salaries must be paid on time and in full to labourers in line with their contracts. Those firms that renege on this should be dealt with severely as this can seriously affect the lives of the labourers.
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minimum wages
Posted by senthil at 08:24 UAE time
minimum salary has to be set is a good idea. It is very good for all labourer. One thing is that has to be regulated- that is agent commission in the home country pay by each labourer. every one is paying around 12-18 months salary eqiuvalant to get a labour job in gulf(un officialy). Since htey paid, they trapped. they have live in any situvation to earn money to lend back and survive and save some money atleast while return. So both governments has to take an action on this and official fee to be fixed for any requirement. Strick action to be implemented if any violation. then only any requuirented labour will talk about his rights whenever facilities are worst. Unless the individual talk about his rights, no benifits is provided.
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Bloggs and Good life
Posted by ametis at 06:20 UAE time
I agree with Kaptain on setting up bloggs for people to upload photographs, and post their grievences..
The problem will arise ensuring that all postings are genuine and not venemous...
In anwer to Kevins posting "Is Dubai ready to promise a good life to the workers?"
I dont know of a single country that promise a good life, since a good life is so variable...
In my opinion only thing that a worker should be promised is Dignified living conditions, Salary etc. is down to negotiation, if you dont like the salary, than you have every right to refuse the position..
I dont belive any humasn should be forced to live in undignified conditions, No matter their origins, position or race.
To be treated with dignity and courtesy is a human right...
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Posted on Monday, 20 April 2009
There is more than meets the eye..
Posted by Kaptain at 18:15 UAE time
Although the community in Dubai is quite active to arrange walks to promote awareness for AIDS and Autism.
Why not people get together, with mini cameras and set out on an expedition, get photos, publish classified interviews and info from the inside people who are suffering already, except for those dwellers of 7 camps which were renovated in makeshift hours to cover the reality of other camps.
People should see for themselves. Sometimes truth is better to be evidenced by self rather than getting second hand information.
Blogs should be made where such truths should be uncovered.
Arabianbusiness.com has done a wonderful job to uncover but still there remains much to be desired, as higher ups keep an eye where media is prancing.
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Minimum Wage - great, but how much?
Posted by Kevin at 17:39 UAE time
Its one thing to agree upon having a minimum wage - whenever it gets done. The second (most omportant) part is what should the minimum wage be?
Will the minimum wage increase in the same proportion of the increasing cost of living?
Bottom line : Is Dubai ready to promise a good life to the workers?
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Minimum Wages
Posted by J Smith at 17:01 UAE time
Some Dubai Free Zones have had rules and regulations on minimum wages for years...
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