The Labor Force in Dubai - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The increase will help somewhat, but with rising prices in Dubai, it may not cover medical needs by May when it goes into effect. His mother has cataracts and also needs knee surgery. His grandmother has a large tumor in her stomach and needs immediate surgery. He is recuperating from a hernia operation.  In the spring of last year, construction workers in Dubai protested low salaries and mistreatment by stopping work after publication of a US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) report that called treatment of underpaid private workers from India, Pakistan, China, and other Asian countries as “less than human” (Jones, para. 7). The incident erupted with extensive damage done to the Emaar Properties’ Burj Dubai tower, expected to be the world’s tallest building when completed in 2008. Damages were estimated at more than Dh3 million. With lack of social support for expatriate workers, according to Jones, HRW has urged the government to help fund and create independent bodies to improve conditions. The labor minister said that a new labor law and other measures were already improving conditions for immigrant workers. According to Jones, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) recommends immediate application of the law to insure that any restrictions on the fundamental rights of workers in the Emirate are removed. How has employer or government attempted to address problem?The increase in minimum wage applies only to government workers, and construction workers do not receive overtime pay....
ording to Jones, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) recommends immediate application of the law to insure that any restrictions on the fundamental rights of workers in the Emirate are removed.
2) How has employer or government attempted to address problem
The increase in minimum wage applies only to government workers, and construction workers do not receive overtime pay. Although the problem under discussion in this essay is related to low income, the inability of such workers to meet basic needs leads to inadequate housing, health care expenses, and lack of education, keeping workers at a poverty level. The economy in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) shows rising inflation in the future (Ministry of Economy), according to a recent Economic Bulletin published by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). The cost of living for the expatriate labor force has risen significantly, which reduces the appeal of the UAE as a lucrative labor market. Close monitoring of economic performance by the UAE government as well as continuing upgrade of local laws and regulations are expected to offset serious damages in any of the sectors. However, to compete as a major manufacturing center, the DCCI report calls for "an adequate infrastructure, high human capital base with innovative attitudes, legal and physical access to markets, and a favorable exchange-rate regime" (Ministry of Labour, para. 7). At present, only the infrastructure appears to be in place with the other factors lacking. One important issue in the development of a stable work force is education. Although an effort is being made to build up the education system, results will not be immediate. The Ministry of Labour of the UAE declared the following minimum monthly salaries for ...Download file to see next pagesRead More