Industrial Unrest in Abu Dhabi - Case Study Example

Industrial Unrest in Abu Dhabi Strengths Despite the work environment being volatile over the last few months it has enjoyed its good times. For any organization there will always be ups and downs, this just happens to be the down time for the Abu Dhabi. Several steps have in the past been taken to safeguard workers before this such as the setting up of a federal body to handle their grievances. There are also laws in existence that look out for the interests of the workers while putting the welfare of the employers into consideration. What remains now to right the current situation is the enforcement of these laws and the invigoration of the necessary arms of government and this conflict should soon be sorted? The fact that the parties involved are willing to come to the table and have a civil discussion is also very encouraging. This is a good indicator that the conflict will soon be put to rest. Willingness to talk and negotiate is the first step to solving any conflict. Weaknesses There are quite a range of weaknesses in the labour environment in the Abu Dhabi as shown by several surveys some of which were sparked by the recent strikes by worker most of who are migrants. One thing that contributes to the weakened working conditions isthat thereseems to be a breakdown in communication between the employers and employees. Weather deliberate or not it is a major cause in employee unrest (Williams, 2014).The workers seem to think that their employees are insensitive to their plight. There have been massive complaints about low pay and deplorable living conditions. The fact that the strikes caught the companies by surprise points to miscommunication or a total lack of it. Workers claim that their wages have remained the same for a long time despite changes in the working and economic environment which puts them at a disadvantage. They are agitating for an appraisal of their salaries in order to afford to continue working. The low wages can be attributed to the fact that there is availability of cheap labour as if the was scarcity of labour these companies would pay better without the need for strikes. Workers here also complain of poor living condition with a majority claiming to live in cramped spaces. Claims of six or more workers having to share living quarters are not uncommon. This they say they have had enough of hence the decision to strike, illegal as tis may be. Opportunities There are quite a few opportunities for labour sector to thrive but they will call for major changes within the sector if they are to be achieved (International, 2013). First of all there needs to be an investment in a better communication apparatus between the employers and employees, this will see an end to meaningless strikes. Communication is the key to ending and preventing any conflict and this one is no exception. The companies offering employment in the country could consider investing in better amenities for the employees. While this will not be easy, it will make for happier workers more open to dialogue if and when the need arises. One of the reasons that strike turned violent is the workers feeling like their employers do not care about their welfare this could be changed by investing in amenities. The employees feel that their living conditions are not fit for them and where this is the case they should be an effort to improve this. Threats The high expansion rate being experienced in Abu Dhabi is in itself a threat to relations between employers and employees. The need for more workers especially in the construction industries is due to this growth means that there may be a shortage of resources which may mean worse working conditions which threaten whatever peace achieved so far. Investors need to be very careful to factor in the labour cost lest there be conflict during their projects which would not be good for anybody. This whole conflict seems to be because of the employers taking for granted their employees since there is a notion that labour should be cheap just because there is a high demand for employment. 1. You are a leading Human Resources Consultant and have been asked by the government to give your opinions and recommendations? In order to put a permanent end to strikes in the Abu Dhabi there needs to be dialogue between the employees and employers in order to iron out issues. As previously stated, communication is the one true solution to amicable resolution of any conflict (Reilly, 2012). There also needs to be put in place a regulatory body to take care of workers so as to avoid them being taken advantage of or even feeling like they are. This would also provide an avenue for both workers and employers to express their grievances in a calm and stable environment. The Human resource department in any given company has a responsibility both to the employees as well as the company as this is the department that is charged with the responsibility of avoiding conflict. Ideally they would do this by collecting the views of the employees and communicating these opinions to the relevant departments. They should also communicate views and changes from the management to the employees and gauge the reception of any changes by the employees. Any HR department that is doing this effectively should be able to avoid any conflict. 2 How does Employee Representation operate in the UAE? Employment in the UAE is mainly though contracts and hence representation can be a bit tricky since there is no employment at will (Raiser, 2011). Workers interests are regulated by a federal body under federal law. As it is with any federal body, their roles seem to be spelt out quite clearly and all point to taking care of the employees but execution on the other hand is rarely as clear. There has been introduction of minimum wage limits and the approval of certain institutions through which employees’ wages are paid through. This is all aimed at safeguarding the workers. The introduction of free zones is also tricky for representation since their by-laws supersede the federal laws. Workers from the UAE or migrants from other parts of the world have their rights. The law is quite clear on the rights of these employees as pertains to wages and working conditions. Their wages are taken care of by the federal body put in place to handle these workers grievances which they have tried to do by setting minimum wages for different sectors and enforcing this by approving certain institutions that their pay is done through in order to protect the workers from impropriety on the part of the employers.HR department have the responsibilities to manage the workers and handle any misunderstanding with their area of operation, therefore they are mandated to set up a panel which will be tasked with solving conflicts. The HR has the core responsibilities of making sure that they bring both parties together by creating a level ground between them to negotiate the solution after agreeing that there was a problem first. 3 How to prevent the conflict and have a better communication? The only real way to handle conflict is approaching the subject of conflict with an open mind. Both parties must be willing to listen to the other and be willing to be corrected where necessary. Obstinacy with any of the parties would lead to a deadlock meaning that neither gets what they want hence dragging on the conflict longer than is necessary but if they embrace the spirit of give and take conflicts end fasterUnited (Arab Emirates Mineral & Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide,2012). The one true way that this conflict in particular can and will be ended is by the two differing parties coming to the table with an open mind. As much as the might want to make demands the workers should also be willing to reason with the employers. If need be, a neutral party such as the government or representatives of the government should be brought on board to act as arbitrators. Violence will solve nothing but will only work to fuel tempers which will not be good for anyone in the end. Everyone will end up a looser. it is very important everybody not just employees in UAE to be aware of their rights. Some of these fundamental rights include, free working environment out of discriminations, contract rights, privacy to medical records, maternity that goes hand in hand with paternity leave among others. 4. The whole ABU DHABI community of employees have the responsibility to do more because of the large multinational workforce found in this small country, this is because of the numerous complaints from the locals who are Muslims those experts or foreign workers don’t respect their beliefs especially during Ramadan. The two parties should work hand in hand for the harmony since the issues raised are well known. Conclusion It is without a doubt important that these issues be addressed and be taken care of. There is also a need to look into ways of preventing a re-emergence in future if the economy and progress are to thrive as there can be no progress in the face of conflict and unrest. References International, B. P. I. (2013). How to invest, start and run profitable business in the united arab emirates guide. S.l.: Intl Business PubnsUsa. United Arab Emirates Mineral & Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide. (2012). s.l.: International Business Publications. Reilly, P. A., & Williams, T. (2012).Global HR: Challenges facing the function. Farnham, Surrey, England: Gower. Williams, S., & Williams, S. (2014). Introducing employment relations: A critical approach. Reiser, D. (2011). Analysis of Cultural Differences in Dubai. BWV Berliner Wissenschafts- Verlag Read More