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Sharjah celebrates Labour Days

Sharjah - The event aims to provide the necessary support for employers and employees, in coordination with government authorities and private companies

 A total of 22,000 labourers in the Emirate of Sharjah will enjoy three days of fun, entertainment and awareness as part of the International Labour Day celebrations.
The programmes organised by the Sharjah Labour standard Development Authority (LSDA) will start today in Al Sajja Industrial Area, said Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, chairman of the authority.
He said the event aims to provide the necessary support for employers and employees, in coordination with government authorities and private companies. The mega event is supported by the missions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines in the UAE. Awareness programmes on the functioning of various government departments in the UAE, sports activities, procession and cultural programmes are the main highlights of the event.
Sharjah Labour Days will open today with a medical camp by Aster Group and a mobile dental clinic by University City, Sharjah. At 6pm, an awareness programme for labourers will be held in cooperation with the Sharjah Police, the General Directorate of Civil Defence, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Sharjah Health Department.
On Sunday Sports Day will be inaugurated by Omer Salem Al Sharji, Director of Institutional Support and Communication Department. Sports competitions will be followed by entertainment programmes by five nationalities. A medical camp by Perfect Clinic, Sharjah, will also be conducted on the second day.
The valedictory function will be inaugurated by the Chairman and the Director of the LSDA and will be attended by heads of various government departments in Sharjah as well as diplomats from the various missions.
On Monday, closing ceremony will begin at 4pm. Labour Day Carnival and awarding session will be held on the final day of celebrations.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Al Qaseer said that through the event, the Sharjah government is appreciating the work of all those who struggle hard to build the country and contributed towards its development and economic progress under the vision of the wise leadership.
He said the authority is making great efforts to improve the living conditions of workers in the emirate. "In coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Emiratisation, the authority is keen to play an important role in protecting workers' rights and ensuring the interests of employers," he said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 
Suicide prevention programmes
He also noted that efforts and initiatives being undertaken by the LSDA will play a significant role in further reducing the number of suicide cases among labourers. The authority is working to ensure happiness and decent life for labourers who work hard to achieve the country's development.
In order to prevent suicide among Indian expatriates, the association is planning to invite family, social and psychiatric counsellors for conducing awareness lectures.
 
Survey to improve workers' living conditions
The LSDA is currently conducting a survey to study the living conditions in all labour accommodations in industrial areas in Sharjah and then will prepare reports that will be referred to the higher government bodies to introduce rules and legislation to improve their living conditions and ensure their rights.
"The survey, which includes checking of the standard of the accommodation and services provided, is almost complete in Al Sajja and the surveyors will then move to labour accommodations in industrial areas. In case of complaints from the workers regarding non-payment of salaries on time, the matter will be referred to the ministry to settle the situation and ensure the rights of the labourers," said Al Qaseer.
The authority is also working on renovating old labourer accommodations and installing lights on the areas, as per international standards.
Col Colonel Ali Saif Al Nadas, director of Sharjah Community Police, said that the police will work together with other government bodies to ensure labourers' rights. "We are planning to provide awareness lectures in various languages to educate the labourers about traffic rule, general law and danger of involving in illegal activities including bootlegging, which lead to serious crimes.