UAE-ILO to discuss pension fund for workers

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) will discuss with the UAE authorities on setting up a pension fund for the millions of workers in the country.

In steps to be taken to enhance workers’ rights in the country, ILO is to enter a joint project with the UAE Ministry of Labour (MoL) starting early next year, The National reported on Friday.

The report said the pension fund will be discussed to ensure workers get some lasting benefits after their service in the country.

Humaid bin Deemas, Executive Director for Labour Affairs at the MoL was quoted as saying: “We consider recruitment agencies the main gate for our labour market, and it would serve as a safety valve if we are able to manage and regulate them.”

The ILO-MoL project will result in recruitment agencies facing new federal regulations to ensure workers’ rights are not trampled upon.

Part of the ILO’s Decent Work Country programme, the strategy will be implemented in two phases of three years each. The project will culminate in 2016.

While about four million mostly expatriate workers are registered with MoL, there are others who come under the various free zones and are hence registered separately.

Deemas said the ministry has agreed to create a general framework for the implementation of the strategy centralised around Emiratisation, protection of workers, development of the labour market, and social dialogue.
 

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