Dubai: The authorities here have started inspecting labour camps from today to check whether employers were meeting government standards after workers of certain companies resorted to strike demanding better pay and living conditions.

The teams are instructed to record their observations and submit them to the Human Rights Care Department (HRCD) of Dubai police which will take measures against companies who violate labour housing regulations, said the Emirates news agency. The teams will look into complaints of company workers on the living conditions of accommodations provided to them and started visiting camps in Al Qusais and Al Qouz industrial zones, Dubai Investment Park and Jebel Ali Free Zone.

The Police, in collaboration with Dubai Municipality supplied the team members with maps showing locations of the workers camps in the emirate, as well as lists containing the Municipality-approved health regulations and the penalties for violation of such regulations. The teams will use a standard check-list for the items to be inspected, the report added. The UAE cabinet earlier this month called for urgent action on pay for foreign labourers.

The Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs has intensified inspection visits to the workers accommodations in Dubai to check their compliance with health and safety regulations. "Some 17 inspectors from the committee visited 22 labour camps in Al Qouz, Jebel Ali and Al Muhaisna to review living conditions. The committee has increased weekly inspection visits from 8 to 10," said Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of Dubai Naturalisation residency Department, who heads the committee.

The inspection teams noted minor violations in some accommodations such as the use of gas ovens in the kitchens by the workers and shortage of water coolers.

Source : PTI