WAM Abu Dhabi, 16th Dec. 2008 (WAM) -- Around 250,000 UAE nationals are projected to enter the private sector labour market over the next 13 years and the economic development pattern could bring a similar figure of foreign workers into the country by 2020, Labour Minister HE Saqr Gobash discolsed today.
''There are no quick or magic solutions to the foreign workforce issue,'' the minister told a session of the Federal National Council (FNC) to discuss the policy of his ministry.
The minister unveiled an important initiative by the country's leadership for creating a permanent council to tackle the imbalance in the demographic structure and formulate policies to achieve good percentage of Emiratisation.
''The establishment of the said body could take sometimes ......... perhaps weeks or months,''he said.
Asked about the work permits which according to the FNC members reached about two millions this year, the minister said the policy of work permits is based on requirements of development.
''It's the restructuring of the economy rather than labour procedures that will phase out this problem,''he affirmed, calling for more concerted efforts between the local and federal governments in this respect.
Speaking about workers rights, the minister asserted that :''the government doesn't seek to strike a balance in this matter because of international pressure but its move on this direction was guided by its legislations.
The house members made a series of recommendations which called among other measures for creating an independent ministry for housing to chalk out feasible demographic policies and a strategic plan for increasing Emiratisation.
The recommendations also called for introducing incentive-driven policies to encourage nationals engage in technical and vocational fields.
The members also demanded the house to set up a committee to examine and analyse the demographic situation with the focus on policies regarding Emiratisation and replacement. The committee will also study challenges facing the national identity and influence of expatriate workforce on national security.
''There are no quick or magic solutions to the foreign workforce issue,'' the minister told a session of the Federal National Council (FNC) to discuss the policy of his ministry.
The minister unveiled an important initiative by the country's leadership for creating a permanent council to tackle the imbalance in the demographic structure and formulate policies to achieve good percentage of Emiratisation.
''The establishment of the said body could take sometimes ......... perhaps weeks or months,''he said.
Asked about the work permits which according to the FNC members reached about two millions this year, the minister said the policy of work permits is based on requirements of development.
''It's the restructuring of the economy rather than labour procedures that will phase out this problem,''he affirmed, calling for more concerted efforts between the local and federal governments in this respect.
Speaking about workers rights, the minister asserted that :''the government doesn't seek to strike a balance in this matter because of international pressure but its move on this direction was guided by its legislations.
The house members made a series of recommendations which called among other measures for creating an independent ministry for housing to chalk out feasible demographic policies and a strategic plan for increasing Emiratisation.
The recommendations also called for introducing incentive-driven policies to encourage nationals engage in technical and vocational fields.
The members also demanded the house to set up a committee to examine and analyse the demographic situation with the focus on policies regarding Emiratisation and replacement. The committee will also study challenges facing the national identity and influence of expatriate workforce on national security.
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