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Officials join workers to celebrate Labour Day

Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman - Several activities held in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to recognise and appreciate efforts of workers in nation building

Several activities were held all over the country on Sunday to mark the International Workers' Day also called Labour Day.
The Dubai Police celebrated the day by stressing the rights of people to work as per UAE legislation and all international conventions that relate to people's rights.
Brigadier Kamil Batti Al Swaid, Director of the General Department of Human Resources, noted that police officials have distributed phone cards to 300 workers working in the Al Qusais area as a sign of appreciation.
He noted that celebrating workers is a sign of the Dubai Police's focus on community policing and relations, as well as preserving labour rights and providing a suitable work environment.
The General Department of Human Rights of Dubai Police last year recovered Dh56 million in delayed salaries, and also conducted 1,400 inspection visits at labour accommodations to ensure that they are abiding with health and humanitarian regulations.
Major Saeed Rashid Al Heeli, Head of the Workers Monitoring Section, said Dubai Police receives labour complaints on a dedicated hot-line, and have carried out a "Know Your Rights" campaign through which they can spread awareness among workers.
Dr Mohammed Al Murr, Director of the Human Rights Department, said that the department has solved 80 per cent of complaints received by the police in the last three years.
He also noted that the Dubai Police have managed to solve a large number of problems themselves without having to refer them to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or court systems.
Applications for visa cancellation top the list of complaints, with 461 complaints received, followed by salary delays with 323,150 for unreturned documents, 58 for unfair treatment, 19 for salary deductions, and three regarding visa transfer. There were a total of 1,259 complaints, 192 of which were collective.
Events in Sharjah
Ajman and Sharjah Municipalities organised several activities to recognise the efforts and key role labourers play in the UAE's development.
Sharjah Municipality, in coordination with the Red Crescent, organised a number of entertainment programmes in labour accommodations in Sharjah Industrial Area 3.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Riyad Al Elan, Director-General of Sharjah Municipality, said marking Labour Day is a sign of appreciation for the role labourers play in the country, and is part of the municipality's responsibility for the community.
The municipality, he noted, gives importance to its labourers and works to provide them with the best possible atmosphere based on international standards to encourage them to produce more.
The municipality's labourers have also contributed to achieving the strategic objectives of the authority's projects and its services for residents of the emirate.
The activities organised by the municipality included entertainment and awareness programmes followed by distribution of presents and gifts to labourers.
Ajman
Ajman Municipality on its part, honoured 500 labourers for their efforts.
The municipality also organised various activities to entertain its workers at their accommodations.
Engineer Khalid Al Housani, Director of the Public Health Sector at Ajman Municipality, said it's important to the municipality to recognise labourers' contributions to Ajman's development.
Ibrahim Al Shehi, Head of the Municipality's Public Relations Department, said the events included entertainment and sports programmes, as well as gift giving in an effort to show appreciation.
"Workers are soldiers who work hard behind the scenes to make great projects a reality," he said.
Labourers who took part in the events expressed their happiness and pride at being part of the municipality, and many said they appreciated the authority's efforts to keep them happy and comfortable.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com