A report by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions on labour standards in the United Arab Emirates has condemned the appalling treatment of migrant workers, who comprise around 95% of the private sector work force. The abuse of migrant workers includes withholding of wages, extended overtime without penalty rates and extremely unsafe working conditions. Under current law, workers are not allowed to join trade unions, but the government has announced a new law to be in place by the end of the year permitting the formation of unions. THE ICFTU has called for these unions to be free to determine their own structures and for foreign workers to be allowed to join. The report also highlights the persistence of child labour and human trafficking. For more information visit <http://www.icftu.org>.

From Green Left Weekly, April 26, 2006.
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