ABU DHABI, Oct 22: The UAE government is contemplating new measures to completely stop hiring workers through recruitment agencies, Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi has said.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of a consultative forum on temporary work force here yesterday, Dr Kaabi said the measure was being mulled to curb exploitation of workers.
“We’ll make labour force recruitment confined to the UAE Ministry of Labour and the concerned ministries of the countries from where workers come. This will check exploitation of gullible workers who often fall victims to unscrupulous recruiting agents,” said Dr Kaabi. Elaborating on the new policy, the minister said his ministry, in cooperation with the concerned ministries of other countries, would soon reach an agreement to streamline the process of hiring of workers.
“We’ll pay a visit to Egypt very soon to reach an agreement in this regard,” Al Kaabi disclosed.
Dubai: One Killed, Two Injured in Trench Collapse
DUBAI, Oct 22: A labourer lost his life while two others were injured as the wall of a trench they were working at collapsed near Qusais Police station yesterday morning. The three got buried under the sands of the trench.
This was the third worksite death reported in two days in the emirate. On Saturday, two labourers had lost their lives when a beam of a demolished structure collapsed in Dubai Creek.
Dubai Police officials said yesterday’s accident occurred at around 11.30am when the workers were digging the trench. “While two of them got buried under the sands partially, the worker who died got buried completely,” said police officials. Helicopters were pressed in to transport the trapped workers to Rashid Hospital. However, one of the labourers who was trapped completely under the sands, had died on the accident spot itself.
The injured workers were identified as Harzat Barin (27) and Fadal Wahab (28), both hailing from Pakistan. The deceased also hailed from Pakistan but his personal details was not available.
The trench digging work is being carried out as part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s new project.
Eyewitnesses said they had seen the men trapped under the sand crying for help. “Police cordoned off the area,” said Salam Madayil, an eyewitness.
Dubai Police senior officials, including Khamis Mattar Al Mazina, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, Abdul Jalil Mehdi, deputy director of Preventive Security Department, Anas Al Matroushi, deputy director of Operation Room of Dubai Police, and Dr Mohammed Nasir, director of Qusais Station, rushed to site and supervised the rescue operations. Dubai Civil Defence officials were also present at the site.