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Sri Lanka’s ambassador hails Abu Dhabi Dialogue

ABU DHABI — The Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed Nabavi Junaid, has hailed the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, saying it has opened a window of communication on labour-related issues between labour importing and exporting countries.

Sri Lanka is celebrating its 60^th National Day today.

In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, the envoy said Sri Lanka’s concerns over ill-treatment of its workers by employers, and low and irregular payment of salaries were addressed at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue held in the capital recently.

On the issue of housemaids, the envoy said they (maids) were now being imparted a two-week training programme in Sri Lanka before they embarked on the journey.

He stressed that the maids should know how to run a house and how to deal with the various home appliances, as well as their rights. What about their salaries? The envoy said, “You can’t demand or negotiate for higher salaries if you are untrained and unskilled.”

He, however, added; “We have fixed the salary of housemaids and unskilled workers at Dh825. It will be implemented from March 1 this year. Earlier, we had fixed it at Dh550 but later revised it Dh825,” the ambassador said.

Junaid said, “As of now, we are not encouraging unskilled workers to come here. We are encouraging semi-skilled and skilled workers mainly,” he disclosed.

Talking about the trade ties between the UAE and Sri Lanka, Junaid said, “Our trade links are centuries old. Sri Lanka’s spices, gems and jewelleries have had a market in the Middle East for very long. Our trade ties are still getting stronger.”