Ministry issues warning over labour camp overcrowding

Companies in the UAE have been warned by the Ministry of Labour over their treatment of labourers after inspections discovered worsening overcrowding problems in labour camps.

It was reported on Monday that some firms have added up to 40 percent more workers into camps in a bid to reduce costs during the current economic crisis.

Abdelrazaq Qambar, the ministry’s chief inspector, also said some companies have cut meals to workers from three a day to one in comments published by UAE daily The National.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with private firms, he added: "When we started inspecting companies in the country and labour camps we expected to see them empty...But, on the contrary, labour camps are overcrowded due to companies looking to cut costs and keep staff in the UAE for when the situation improves.”

He said late payment and reduction in wages were the most consistent violations of the labour law while many workers had been given “unpaid leave” or terminated their employment without paying the legally required end-of-service benefits.

The ministry has told companies that breaches of the laws will not be tolerated.

Mr Qambar said companies would have all their transactions with the ministry put on hold until they resolved their violations of labour law. If they do not do so, the ministry said it would refer cases to the courts.