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Poll shows 65% support minimum wage for labourers
Two thirds of those responding to an online poll believe construction labourers in the Gulf are badly treated and want governments to bring in a minimum wage.
The survey by Arabian Business found that a resounding 65 percent of more than 500 responders felt very strongly about the bad treatment of construction staff, in the wake of a BBC documentary that went inside Dubai’s labour camps to reveal poor living conditions.
They voted in support of introducing minimum wages for construction staff in a bid to boost their quality of living.
Just four percent of responders to the survey thought the workers, from the poorer parts of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and Vietnam, were well treated and fairly paid.
Another, 10 percent thought workers were well treated once they arrived in the Gulf, but believed problems persisted with recruitment agents in the workers’ home countries, who charged fees to arrange jobs in the region - leaving the workers in debt when they arrive.
This group thought the workers’ home governments should do more to stop this practice.
Meanwhile, 21 percent believed the onus was on employers to improve living conditions for their staff, who they believed were currently poorly treated.
Arabian Business was invited to visit a number of Dubai-based Arabtec’s camps in the wake of the UK TV documentary, which created a wave of debate in Dubai over the image of the emirate in the international press.
A diary of our visit to the camps can be seen here .
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Comments 1-10 of 10
Posted by maribel jurado, Sevilla, Spain on 25 September 2009 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
Posted by Carmel, DUBAI, UAE on 22 April 2009 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.
Posted by spider on 22 April 2009 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.
Posted by Kaptain, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 21 April 2009 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.
Posted by ametis, Dubai, UAE on 21 April 2009 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...
Posted by Kevin on 21 April 2009 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.
Posted by Carmel, Dubai, UAE on 21 April 2009 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.
Posted by ametis, Dubai, UAE on 21 April 2009 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…………
Posted by Peter on 21 April 2009 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.
Posted by senthil, dubai, uae on 21 April 2009 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.