More than 14,183 workers in the UAE have absconded from their sponsors in the first quarter of this year, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

As per the latest three-month report, Labour Departments in the emirates have recorded 6,688 missing complaints from employers.

In Dubai, the Ministry of Labour received missing reports on a total of 6,323 people, representing more than 44 per cent of such workers nationwide.

In Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Bida Zayed, 5,456 such reports were filed, comprising 38 per cent of the total. Sharjah received 1,523 and Ras Al Khaimah 453, while the rest of the emirates recorded lower number of complaints.

Sources at the ministry said the number of missing workers was quite high compared to the short period of time. Though the reasons for such exodus are not clear, the sources indicated it could be partly due to stricter job regulations adopted by the ministry.

The spurt in absconding workers has also led to the increase of labourers whose residence visas have been cancelled and have received a ban on working. The report showed that the UAE Ministry of Labour cancelled residence visas of around 8,150 labourers for reasons ranging from labour disputes and end of contracts to abstaining from work.

The ministry immediately cancels the residence visa and enforces a one-year ban on people who refuse to report for work.

The ministry also looked into the papers of 22,290 workers who visited Labour Relations departments with various grievances.

The department in Dubai looked into 11,174 labour issues, concerning more than 14,500 workers. The figure represents 56 per cent of such cases nationwide.

The Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Bida Zayed departments looked into the cases of 5,172 workers.

There were 5,881 labour complaints registered at the Dubai Ministry of Labour from 8,351 workers. More than 2,600 – 32 per cent of the total – of these were settled amicably, while 1,389 were referred to court and 1,115 are still being scrutinised by the ministry.

In Abu Dhabi, the ministry received 1,964 labour complaints from 2,729 workers. The ministry was able to resolve 494 of them on its own and 257 where referred to the courts. Of these, only two workers were banned from entering the UAE.

The ministry also received 8,082 complaints from 4,368 workers over unpaid wages. The complaints form 56 per cent of total labour cases.

In Dubai, the Labour Department received 2,353 complaints over unpaid wages while Abu Dhabi, including Al Ain and Bida Zayed received 1,370 such complaints. The ministry said 3,191 of the disputes were settled amicably, representing almost 39 per cent of total complaints.

Sources said the ministry is keen on settling most of its disputes amicably or through mediation and has succeeded in doing that in most of the cases. Only 1,661 of the disputes because of unpaid wages were referred to the court.

Recently, the ministry set up new rules for absconding foreign workers to curb the problem. As per an agreement reached with the General Directorate of Immigration and Residency, absconding workers will be deported three months after their absence is reported.

Under the new rules, immigration authorities will immediately cancel residence visas of absconders and deport them in three months from the date of release by their employers.

Strict regulations to control sector

Vital stats: The Labour Departments in the UAE has recorded 6,688 complaints of people missing from employers in the first quarter of this year.

Case distribution: In Dubai, the Ministry of Labour received reports on 6,323 missing people, representing more than 44 per cent of such workers nationwide. In Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Bida Zayed, 5,456 reports were filed.

Fallout of fleeing

Possible reasons: Sources at the ministry said the number of missing workers was quite high considering the short period of time. Although the reasons for such an exodus are not clear, the sources indicated it could be due to stricter employment regulations adopted by the ministry.

Restoring balance: The ministry recently stipulated that absconding workers will be deported three months after employers report their absence. The move will target those who violate labour laws in order to restore balance in the market.