Close on the heels of the Indian government’s decision to fix the minimum wages of its migrant workers in Bahrain, Asian missions in the UAE affirmed that their governments would also follow suit to protect their migrant workers by fixing minimum wages for unskilled workers.
With the exception of the Philippines which has already set the minimum wage for both domestic and other unskilled workers effective April 2007, and India to soon announce the minimum wage policy for its workers in the GCC, other Asian countries are still negotiating with the local authorities to fix the minimum wage for their unskilled workers in the UAE and other Gulf countries.
Sri Lankan Consul General, Wasantha Senanayake, said: “We have set up minimum wages for domestic workers. However, we have to do it for factory workers in a more organised manner, after consultation with local authorities.” He did not specify a time frame for the decision.
Echoing similar sentiments, a senior welfare officer at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi said: “Though no specific proposals have been floated for fixing of minimum wages, the Pakistan government is keenly supporting the minimum wage initiative for its unskilled workers. Pakistan is also yet to decide on issuing a policy statement in this connection. It will be done only after talks with the host government. Pakistan has many unskilled workers employed overseas, especially in the construction sector in the Gulf and we are keen on supporting them.”
Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano observed that Manila had already imposed a minimum wage of USD 400 for domestic workers and other unskilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) since April 2007. He however admitted that there have been reports of violations committed by employers, which he said was a little difficult to monitor because the issue was between the employee and the employer. “But the OFWs could always ask for our help regarding this matter,” he said, adding that the Philippine government would continue to impose a minimum wage for OFWs below the professional level to protect its workers from unscrupulous employers.
Bangladesh Consul General Mohammed Abdul Hye, on the other hand, said discussions were on-going with the authorities concerned.
“The most important thing is the commitment of the countries who are receiving labour. Reciprocity and mutual recognition by sending and receiving countries is imperative as workers rights have to be protected,” he said.
Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi is also assessing the working conditions of its workers to come up with suggestions to its government for fixing a minimum wage for labourers, said Arjun Bahadur Thapa, Nepal Ambassador to the UAE yesterday. “We are trying to do the best in this regard as we knew that some other countries have already fixed a minimum salary for their workers,” Thapa stated. Source
With the exception of the Philippines which has already set the minimum wage for both domestic and other unskilled workers effective April 2007, and India to soon announce the minimum wage policy for its workers in the GCC, other Asian countries are still negotiating with the local authorities to fix the minimum wage for their unskilled workers in the UAE and other Gulf countries.
Sri Lankan Consul General, Wasantha Senanayake, said: “We have set up minimum wages for domestic workers. However, we have to do it for factory workers in a more organised manner, after consultation with local authorities.” He did not specify a time frame for the decision.
Echoing similar sentiments, a senior welfare officer at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi said: “Though no specific proposals have been floated for fixing of minimum wages, the Pakistan government is keenly supporting the minimum wage initiative for its unskilled workers. Pakistan is also yet to decide on issuing a policy statement in this connection. It will be done only after talks with the host government. Pakistan has many unskilled workers employed overseas, especially in the construction sector in the Gulf and we are keen on supporting them.”
Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano observed that Manila had already imposed a minimum wage of USD 400 for domestic workers and other unskilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) since April 2007. He however admitted that there have been reports of violations committed by employers, which he said was a little difficult to monitor because the issue was between the employee and the employer. “But the OFWs could always ask for our help regarding this matter,” he said, adding that the Philippine government would continue to impose a minimum wage for OFWs below the professional level to protect its workers from unscrupulous employers.
Bangladesh Consul General Mohammed Abdul Hye, on the other hand, said discussions were on-going with the authorities concerned.
“The most important thing is the commitment of the countries who are receiving labour. Reciprocity and mutual recognition by sending and receiving countries is imperative as workers rights have to be protected,” he said.
Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi is also assessing the working conditions of its workers to come up with suggestions to its government for fixing a minimum wage for labourers, said Arjun Bahadur Thapa, Nepal Ambassador to the UAE yesterday. “We are trying to do the best in this regard as we knew that some other countries have already fixed a minimum salary for their workers,” Thapa stated. Source
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