Monday, May 8 2006 12:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: Hardening its stand towards increasing protests by workers over non-payments of dues, a UAE labour panel has recommended to the Cabinet that workers who protest on 'flimsy grounds' be taken to court and companies be allowed to bring in personnel to replace them.

The recommendation was drafted yesterday during a meeting of officials from the local and federal departments here to discuss problems facing the labour market.

UAE Labour Minister Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi said after the meeting that the panel had prepared a 29-clause memorandum to be submitted to the Cabinet to deal with labour protests.

He said these included referring workers to court if they protested without a genuine, legal grievance, with no right, or if they damaged property.

"We will take all necessary action after that," he was quoted as saying in Gulf News.

Companies will also be allowed to bring in more labourers to take their place without paying transaction fees, Al Ka'abi said.

The firms pay between Dh 6,000 - Dh 8,000 (Rs 73,331 - Rs 97748) in transaction fees and air tickets while bringing labourers from abroad. The minister has earlier waived transaction fees for companies willing to hire abandoned labourers.

He also asked companies to pay all workers delayed wages within 30 days, but did not specify what action the Committee or the Ministry will take against companies that do not.

Al Ka'abi said the Cabinet would study the recommendation at its next meeting.