Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, June 22, 2014:  
Laborers rush toward their bus at the end of their shift, near new construction projects on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi as seen on Sunday, June 22, 2014.
(Silvia Razgova / The National)

Reporter: standalone 
Section: NA, BIZ
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Workers involved in labour disputes will be given a card that provides them with food and transportation costs for the duration of their proceedings. Silvia Razgova / The National

Labour disputes in Abu Dhabi drop by more than 40 per cent



The number of labour disputes brought before courts in Abu Dhabi has nearly halved in the last 12 months.

A total of 9,779 cases have been heard in the capital so far this year - down from 16,897 at the same period of 2017.

Awareness campaigns educating workers about their rights, arming them with knowledge to settle issues outside of the system, have been cited as a key factor in the 42 per cent drop by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD).

Legal wrangles between employer and employee can be sparked by a range of issues, ranging from hours to benefits and salary concerns.

Ahmed Al Marzouqi, head of ADJD labour court committee, said previously labourers in the dark over their employment rights would often seek legal action when it was not necessary.

"Now they know how to resolve disputes with their employers outside of court, and know what it is they have the right to complain about and that there are some things that they have no right to complain about," he said.

"Previously, there were many complaints filed that had no legal grounds.

Awareness campaigns targeted 135,000 workers, while the labour court committee also plans to hold talks with employers to ensure they are aware of their duty of care to workers.

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Read more:

Legal consultations through WhatsApp to speed up labour disputes in Dubai

Navigating labour disputes in the UAE

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Films highlighting the rights of labourers have been produced in several languages at workers' villages, including Arabic, English, Urdu, Pashto and Bengali.

The committee will also be awarding the best workers' village and the best performing worker in initiatives aimed at boosting workplace morale. The campaign will soon include female workers as well, said Mr Al Marzouqi.

"Awareness campaigns focus on organizing activities in labor villages to ensure access to a large segment of the target group," he said.

RESULT

Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5

Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')

The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

SQUADS

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage

Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Company Profile

Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000


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