DUBAI: The UAE has been urged to put a six-year cap on workers’ residencies. The Federal National Council’s internal affairs and defence committee said workers should leave the country after six years and only be allowed back after obtaining a new residency visa.

The committee said this would allow the country to circumvent obligations that might be imposed by international conventions regarding foreign manpower.

The proposals would require the approval of the Cabinet and UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

HOW sad for businesses that the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) intends to introduce laws allowing workers to choose who they work for.
No longer will companies be able to “buy” workers and treat them as slaves. No longer will they be able to unilaterally dictate terms and conditions. No longer will they be able to just stop paying workers for no reason.
For the first time, workers will actually have rights, which will have to be respected by their employees. No wonder businesses are complaining about this.
As for the comments of BCCI contractors’ committee vice-chairman Nedham Kameshki that “there is no single businessman in Bahrain who will accept this”, there are many businesses in Bahrain who already accept this, and allow their staff to move freely if they wish to.
However this doesn’t happen very often because these same companies treat their staff well and the staff return that reward with their loyalty.
Interesting concept. Others should try it.