Four companies charged for violating Dubai labour laws

142 workers holding work permits issued by another emirate's free zoneThe Ministry of Labour has referred four companies to Dubai Public Prosecution for employing 146 workers illegally.

142 of the workers were holding work permits issued by another emirate's free zone and the remaining four workers had entered the country on visit visas.

Three of the companies had the same owner and the fourth one was owned by a foreign investor.

The Ministry of Labour took the action during an inspection campaign in June.

The foreign-owned company had been found guilty of irregularities earlier also, including not providing proper accommodation for its workers.

Issa Al Zarouni, director of inspections, said the campaign was conducted by a team of 17 inspectors in co-ordination with Dubai Police.

There were 290 workers in one factory though only 142 of them had work permits issued by a free zone.

There were administrators and senior technical staff besides labourers among those caught for violating labour laws, he said.

The use of work permits issued by free zones outside the zones is illegal, Zarouni said.

The four companies face fines up to Dh50,000 under Federal Law No.8 of 1980.