Workers who had withdrawn complaints against their employers can now re-file them, according to the Ministry of Labour
The decision follows complaints that workers were being manipulated by employers to withdraw their complaints with the promise that matters would be resolved amicably. However, those promises were never fulfilled.
It is learnt that most of the employers, against whom complaints have been filed, promised to clear all the dues but only if the workers withdrew their complaints. However, once the workers withdrew their complaints the employers reneged on their promises.
Ahmed Al Besher, a legal advisor to the MoL's Disputes Department in the Mussafah Industrial Area, told Khaleej Times that Article No.6 of the labour law states clearly that any worker can file another complaint and withdraw his 'back down' letter if the employer has not kept his word.
Ibrahim Ismaeel, a plumber, was in tears when he spoke to a Khaleej Times reporter, about his experiences.
"I came to work seven months ago and the employer collected the fees for the employment visa as well as fees for the labour card and the medical check-up. He promised to pay me everything that I was entitled to if I withdrew my complaint that was filed two weeks ago with the ministry."
But after taking his signature and thumb impression on the documentation pertaining to withdrawal of the complaint, the employer told him he would not pay him anything and he was free to go to the ministry.
During intervention by the Disputes Department, the employer, B.M.H., refused to pay the worker his dues and submitted the 'back down' letter to the legal adviser. But in the presence of the legal adviser, the employer warned the worker that he would file an 'absconding' report against him.
Al Besher said the employer would be violating the law if he filed an 'absconding' report to intimidate the complainant.
"In such a case," he said, "the ministry would impose a fine of Dh10,000, as well as downgrade the company. In addition, the company could also face suspension of licence for six months."
Attempts by Khaleej Times to speak to the employer met with no success this week. Source
The decision follows complaints that workers were being manipulated by employers to withdraw their complaints with the promise that matters would be resolved amicably. However, those promises were never fulfilled.
It is learnt that most of the employers, against whom complaints have been filed, promised to clear all the dues but only if the workers withdrew their complaints. However, once the workers withdrew their complaints the employers reneged on their promises.
Ahmed Al Besher, a legal advisor to the MoL's Disputes Department in the Mussafah Industrial Area, told Khaleej Times that Article No.6 of the labour law states clearly that any worker can file another complaint and withdraw his 'back down' letter if the employer has not kept his word.
Ibrahim Ismaeel, a plumber, was in tears when he spoke to a Khaleej Times reporter, about his experiences.
"I came to work seven months ago and the employer collected the fees for the employment visa as well as fees for the labour card and the medical check-up. He promised to pay me everything that I was entitled to if I withdrew my complaint that was filed two weeks ago with the ministry."
But after taking his signature and thumb impression on the documentation pertaining to withdrawal of the complaint, the employer told him he would not pay him anything and he was free to go to the ministry.
During intervention by the Disputes Department, the employer, B.M.H., refused to pay the worker his dues and submitted the 'back down' letter to the legal adviser. But in the presence of the legal adviser, the employer warned the worker that he would file an 'absconding' report against him.
Al Besher said the employer would be violating the law if he filed an 'absconding' report to intimidate the complainant.
"In such a case," he said, "the ministry would impose a fine of Dh10,000, as well as downgrade the company. In addition, the company could also face suspension of licence for six months."
Attempts by Khaleej Times to speak to the employer met with no success this week. Source
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