Abu Dhabi’s master tourism developer on Sunday said a new report has confirmed that worker welfare on its Saadiyat Island development has improved during 2013.
The second annual independent monitoring report compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) monitored welfare practices by the main contractors and subcontractors of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) during the past year.
PwC said TDIC has made efforts to improve worker social welfare and increased the level of compliance by contractors to meet standards laid on in the employment practices policy (EPP).
The report comes amid fresh criticism of conditions on Saadiyat Island from The Guardian newspaper in the UK which said an investigation had found companies withholding the passports of migrant workers and thousands of workers living in substandard or squalid conditions.
TDIC said other findings highlighted in the report included the establishment and implementation of financial penalties dependent on contractor’s performance, the first of which was issued to a contractor in August.
In addition, the report said a subcontractor had delayed payment of wages to workers and the company took immediate action which resulted in the subcontractor paying all their workers in an appropriate and timely manner.
The report also said: “Throughout our monitoring work [in 2013], TDIC and most of the contractors and subcontractors were supportive of the EPP and its objectives and facilitated the delivery of the Monitoring Programme.
“TDIC worked with us throughout the year to help resolve any issues we did identify in delivering the Monitoring Programme,” the PwC report added.
While overall improvements were noted in some areas since the 2012 report, the findings highlighted that issues in particular related to workers payment of recruitment and relocation fees to agents in their home countries – remain.
TDIC said it is acting on this issue where possible, including the demobilisation of a subcontractor for non-compliance with TDIC’s clauses related to workers payment of recruitment and relocation fees.
Ali Al Hammadi, TDIC deputy managing director, said: “We have always been committed to transparency as well as ensuring workers’ welfare to the best of our abilities.
“We are pleased to note that in the second independent monitoring report, TDIC has made good strides in regards to our EPP. We are now studying how to best implement the recommendations outlined with all parties involved in Saadiyat’s ongoing construction projects.”
Monitoring work included initial visits to contractors and subcontractors, performed between March and April, together with follow-up reviews and additional monitoring visits, carried out between June and November.
In total, 565 workers were interviewed, on construction sites on Saadiyat island, representing 19 percent of the average monthly worker population.
The EPP stipulates specific requirements on workers’ welfare issues which are based on the UAE Labour Law and, in certain areas, international labour practices.
These requirements, which TDIC said it has continued to develop for the benefit of workers on Saadiyat island, cover the workers recruitment process, the contractors’ employment processes, retention of passports, payment of wages, accommodation and facilities, grievance mechanisms, health and safety and EPP administration.
