Sunday 7 February 2010

The Law Culture Respect Bureau at the Secretariat General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has issued the first pocket manual for workers in six languages Arabic, English, Filipino, Persian, Chinese and Urdu to acquaint the community with worker rights and duties. 

According to Lt. Colonel Dr. Salah Al Ghoul, Director of Law Culture Respect Bureau they are in the process of distributing the first pocket manual "Worker's Rights and Duties" to all government sectors, federal and civil institutions, labour accommodation camps in collaboration with relevant police departments, in addition to different media means.

The manual contains explanation of worker rights and duties which are the basics of freedom and justice, the thing that provides integrated development of individuals and community, to achieve the objectives and ambitions of community members. It also shows their rights and duties towards the community and the state rights and duties towards them.

The manual includes worker rights and duties in accordance with the stipulated laws which in line with the country constitution to disseminate awareness among people. The first objective of the issuing of the book stipulates "To enhance the respect of law and public order culture within the community in accordance with a strategy based on spreading of awareness and law respect". He hopes that the pocket manual will achieve the desired aim and that it will be at the hand of the worker in times of need to remain under law umbrella.

UAE is keen to protect human rights, national or resident. If the country is keen to protect human rights in general, it will be even keener to protect workers rights, especially expatriate workers. Article 20 of the Constitution reflects this keenness. Article 34 stipulates that "no compulsory work shall be imposed on anyone other than exceptional cases stipulated by the law, and provided that the worker shall be compensated for it and no person shall be enslaved". 

The main point that according to which the worker shall be given all rights guaranteed by all international legislations and treaties, is that his existence and residence in the country is legal and in accordance with the country laws. If he violates these laws he will be liable to legal punishment and to have his status being exploited by others, where he loses all rights allowed by the country.

The worker shall be aware of all rights stipulated in his employment contract which he signs with his sponsor, as the law does not protect fools.

The worker has the right to carry out his religious rituals, freedom of belief, his dignity shall be preserved, he has the right not to present his ID papers to anyone who asks for them unless he is sure of the other person's identity, he shall not be exposed to any behavior that may disgrace him, or cause physical pain to him. The law gives him the right to lodge a complaint or report the case As appropriate against any such person.

The worker has the right, in front of the authorities concerned, to give his testimony in his own language in a presence of a translator. He also has the right not to sign any testimony given by him before security or judicial authorities unless they are reviewed by him or read to him in full. He should no his charge before defending himself. He has the right to remain silent and have a lawyer to defend him according to investigating authority discretion. 

In respect of his duties, the worker shall not violate the UAE legislations; mess with its customs, traditions and heritage. AS soon as treads on UAE he becomes under its all laws and legislations. These laws include residence, traffic laws etc. He shall not deal with anybody to finalize his transactions outside official institutions. Such dealings will be liable to legal action against him. He shall respect others rights, religious rituals and dignity. (Cursing Islamic religion or any other divine religion will entail imprisonment or payment of fine).   

Asking for his rights does not give the worker to exceed the proper bounds such as assaulting properties, striking, sitting in or staging demonstrations the thing that endangers properties and people lives. The country has provided all legal and proper channels for the worker to ask for his rights. Any such violations shall be dealt with very strictly.

Worker's place of work is the source of his income. Protecting it is a legal and moral duty. He shall not expose it to any risk, whether intentionally or by negligence. Otherwise he shall be liable to legal action against him. He shall stay away from any violation of the country legislations. He shall not accept the work under any circumstances to stay away from law eyes. This will expose him to exploitation by others. He shall adhere to all internal regulations and instructions of his work place, such as industrial security instructions.

The worker is strictly prohibited from taking alcoholic drinks, drugs or any other unknown substance presented to him that may influence his way of thinking. Such practice will bring him before law. He shall cooperate with all security and judicial agencies in providing all information required by them, honestly and faithfully. He shall respond to justice call if he is required to give his testimony before on of its agencies, otherwise he shall be liable to legal action for refraining from giving testimony (One year term of imprisonment and Dh 5000 in fine.

The worker shall report any crime he realizes by one of his senses, or he will be liable to punishment. He shall also refrain from spreading rumors; otherwise he will be punished to three years imprisonment as a maximum. If he hears any rumor he can ensure its truth by contacting Police HQs of the country.