illegal-workers-in-uae
January 27, 2020
GDRFA encourage public to Report illegal workers
 |
Mix reactions came after the GDRFA senior
officer encouraged public to report illegal domestic workers in UAE. Dh10,000 of compensation also announced for those who report absconding maids to authorities.
Many expats are not happy as they criticize employer’s
behavior with workers which resulting runaway and other illegal cases.
AMER GDRFA:
Members
of the public are being encouraged to immediately report illegal workers who
approach them for a job said Major-General Mohammad Al MERRI, the Director
General of The Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department in Dubai.
Major
General Mohammad Al Amerri:
"If any absconding maid or worker
wants to work illegally for you or someone you know, you should immediately and
quietly contact the Amer service on 8005111 who will come to your home or work
place to catch them without any trouble or noise”.
10,000 AED Reward:
As covered by Gulf News and other news websites, people in Dubai were encouraged to report their absconding maids to the authorities as they can be rewarded with 10,000 AED of compensation if the maid is found to be working for a different employer, an official said.
The compensation is applicable if maid found working with another employer.
Fine for hiring illegal workers:
People hiring maids who have absconded
from their original employers will face a fine of 50,000 AED while hiring an
illegal worker or maid will incur a 100,000 AED fine and a jail term.
Major General Al Merri said: “His
department was conducting a survey of maids who had worked legally for families
in Dubai for many years to find out how they had managed to stay with the same
family for such a long time.
He more added: "I have noticed
that domestic helpers from the Philippines are the main ones who work
for the same family for many years".
Who are illegal workers?
Expats
living or working in UAE without valid visas or those who overstay from long
period will be count as illegal workers.
Who are absconders in UAE?
If
the expat worker runaway from their sponsors, employers or companies without cancellation
of visa, it will be considered as absconding from the job and the employer,
company or sponsor will have the right to terminate employee and put absconding
case against them.
People
with absconding case cannot work in UAE until they clear themselves in
immigration.
As
we stated above about expats complaints that many people run away because their
employers do not follow domestic labour law such as working hours, rest etc and
they believe if employers hiring housemaids and other domestic helpers start
following law and rules, there will be no violations.
Meanwhile,
as part of the GDRFA goal to follow up domestic helper issues, Al Merri held a
meeting on Monday with all helpers from the department.
Mr
AL MERRI said "This is the second meeting we have organized with our domestic
helpers at the department in order to encourage them to give their best, we are
here to listen to them and to listen to their issues and problems, we have to
appreciate their work and efforts,"
In-order
to protect domestic workers in UAE, we urged them to know more about their
rights, contract terms, working hours as per UAE domestic labour law and share
it as much as they can so everyone know their rights.
GDRFA Dubai encouraged residents to contact Amer Dubai and report illegal workers and absconders
by dialing the toll free 8005111 after which the amer center Dubai will
handle the case. This toll free number can also be used by domestic workers to
register complaints against their employers.
Instagram @uaelabours
