Cooperation between the Supreme Legislation Committee and the Permanent Committee of Labor Affairs to further develop local legislative and legal system and secure workers' rights

UAE, 5 April 2017- The Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Permanent Committee of Labor Affairs in Dubai (PCLA) to ensure the proper implementation of the legislation regulating employment affairs in line with the national drive to protect workers’ rights; one of the strategic priorities of Dubai in particular and of the UAE in general. The MoU was signed by His Excellency (H.E.) Ahmad Saeed Bin Meshar Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the SLC, and Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Surour, Deputy Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in his capacity as the Chairman of the PCLA. The parties to the MoU aim to join efforts to achieve a common objective, namely, developing the legislative process and consolidating the legal system in a manner that secures workers' rights in line with the objectives of “Dubai Plan 2021” relating to transforming the emirate into the most favorite place to live and work.

The SLC and the PCLA have agreed to work in close coordination in proposing and drafting legislation that supports the sustainable development plans of Dubai, and to contribute to developing projects that support legal work relating to the protection of labor rights, and supporting the UAE's pioneering efforts to recognize workers’ contribution to construction and development. Under the MoU, both parties will mutually benefit from each other’s legal expertise to ensure the optimal implementation of legislation, as well as consolidating mutual cooperation in legal training, exchange of legal information, and legal and institutional research and publications, which serve both parties’ aspirations to enrich legal knowledge.

H.E. Ahmad Saeed Bin Meshar Al Muhairi stressed the importance of consolidating the bridges of mutual cooperation with the PCLA to ensure full legal protection of the rights of workers, who are active partners in the UAE’s drive towards growth, development, and progress. “This MoU highlights  both parties’ keenness to promote integration and cooperation in the development of the legislative framework and the legal system with a view to securing the workers’ rights in line with the SLC objective related to developing effective legislation that is realistic as well as forward-looking,” Al Muhairi said, adding: “We look forward to exchanging legal expertise and knowledge resources with the PCLA, as well as working together on draft legislation that ensures labor right, which falls in line with the keen efforts exerted by the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE to improve the conditions of workers and protect their rights, deeming it as a national duty and a moral, humanitarian and civilized responsibility.  We are confident that our new partnership with PCLA will result in great achievements that support the goals of the Dubai Plan 2021, namely, to transform Dubai into the most favorite city for creative and accomplished individuals to live and work; a city where they can live in dignity and happiness.”

For his part, Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Surour expressed his confidence that mutual cooperation with the leading legislation entity in Dubai, the SLC, will pave the way to achieving a higher level of integration, enhancing institutional and legislative performance and research for both entities. “The MoU marks a quantum shift in capitalizing on the available resources to support the strategic priorities of Dubai and the UAE, making it one of the leading countries in developing a clear legislative framework to protect the rights of workers across all levels,” Bin Surour said, reaffirming commitment to developing a solid legislative and legal framework to further the vision of transforming Dubai into a global model for preserving employees’ rights, providing a safe and productive work environment in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leaders to promote happiness in society by living up to the expectations of citizens, residents, and visitors. 

The cooperation between the SLC and PCLA will also cover legal and legislative knowledge exchange through organizing legal conferences, seminars, lectures, and workshops, in particular those related to the legislative process; and organizing periodic visits and discussion panels with a view to keeping abreast of the latest updates in the legal and legislative process to further the goals of the Dubai Plan 2021. Moreover, the bilateral cooperation between the SLC and the PCLA also facilitates access to the newly issued local legislation through publication in the Official Gazette; on the SLC Official Gazette Online Portal; or on any other smart application that is yet to be adopted by the SLC.