The great passport debate

One issue that really gets people angry is the practice by some companies in the UAE of holding onto an employee's passport.

The

UAE

Ministry of Labour

has clearly said the practice is illegal. On the other hand, construction companies - who are the most well-known for the practice - say it is their only way of keeping a low-wage labourer with their company after they pay the expense of bringing them over from their home country, which can reach into the thousands of dirhams for each person.

Last week I interviewed Grahame McCaig, the managing director of

Dutco Balfour Beatty

and chairman of BuildSafeUAE, and we talked a bit about this issue. He said that it is a common problem for contractors that labourers leave their company for another company soon after arriving. This is untenable for the company because of the expenses it paid to get the labourer into the country and set up with a visa.

He admitted, however, that a new system needed to be come up with to protect both the rights of the worker and the balance sheets of the companies. Here's his quote:

"There's obviously two sides of the story. We have to have a look at it. We need something that complies with international law but also give ourselves whatever back-up that is needed against labourers absconding."

Last month, Riad Kamal of Arabtec

.

Is there an alternative?