In a recent dialogue at the National Assembly, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Hind Al-Sabeeh shared that her ministry has dealt with 447 cases reported by domestic workers from April 23 to July 26, 2018 to address the queries raised by MP Omar Al-Tabtabaei, as shared in a report by the Arab Times.
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Minister Al Sabeeh revealed that 200 of the above-mentioned cases they received were settled peacefully, whereas 11 of them were referred to court, and 5 were handled by recruitment offices.
Social Affairs to Take over Domestic Unit from Interior Ministry
Al Sabeeh further explained that a specialized department handles labour-related matters reported by workers parallel to another department under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry which accepts reports from employers.
The Social Affairs Minister cited Cabinet Decree No. 614/2018 which was issued last April 13 authorizing the transfer of the said department from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour as reference to her ministry’s new role in handling labour matters in both public and private sectors.
As there is a transition period to be rendered for the transfer of the said department, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) was given until 31 March of next year to finalize all procedures and start operations for the department to be transferred. Within this period of transition, the Ministry of Interior will continue to oversee the department to ensure continuity of processes until transfer of authority has been completed.
The departmental adjustments seek to address the number of concerns raised by labour groups and employees all throughout their stay and employment in the Gulf State in a timely and organized manner under one governing ministry.
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