Committee established to examine collective labor disputes

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced a new committee that will examine collective disputes over financial rights of 50 or more workers, which could not be settled amicably among the two parties. The move follows a resolution issued by the UAE Cabinet in this regard, which delegated the responsibility for the committee to MOHRE.

H.E. Khalil Khoury, Acting Undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs at MOHRE, said that the decision to establish the committee fits into the agenda of strengthening the legal and organizational structure that governs labor disputes, in line with the UAE’s Law on the Regulation of Labor Relations, as well as its executive regulations. This guarantees the rights of both the disputing parties in a balanced manner, alongside settlement of collective labor disputes quickly, while supporting the labor market’s stability, in view of the impact these disputes have on establishments.

MOHRE will chair the committee, whose members will include representatives of relevant authorities. They will comprise a chief of appeals judge, an official from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, another from the local labor committee or from an Emirate’s labor crisis team according to the geographic jurisdiction of the dispute, and a representative of MOHRE’s Labor Relations Department.

Khoury stressed that impartiality, integrity and transparency are integral to the committee’s work considering that it examines collective work disputes referred to it, represents workers and the employer, as well hears witnesses and summons whomever it deems necessary to settle a dispute. He clarified that the two disputing parties will be allowed to present a defensive memorandum with supporting documents within three days from the date of serving the hearing notification.'

Khoury also explained that as per the committee resolution, it will take its decisions on a dispute within 30 days from the first session, before referring the decision to the relevant enforcement department.

The UAE Cabinet’s resolution authorizes the committee to request liquidation of bank securities and disbursement of the value of insurance coverage to protect the rights of workers’ party to the dispute, while addressing any issues arising out of the collective dispute referred to the panel.