The UAE and Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster cooperation in the labour and human resources sector, says a press release received here today from Dubai. The MoU was signed by Nasser Bin Thani Al Hameli, the UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Tahir Hussain Andrabi, Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, on the margins of the ongoing 108th session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva, in the presence of senior officials of both countries. The MoU aims to institutionalize the collaborative administration of contractual employment of Pakistani workers in the UAE, through use of information technology, the exchange of information and continuing studies in the area of labor. Under the MoU, Pakistan and the UAE Governments have decided to undertake joint collaborative programs and activities, including pre-departure and post-arrival educational programs in pursuit of the objective of improving the administration of contract employment cycle. In order to ensure legal and risk free working environment for Pakistani workforce upon arrival in the UAE, it has been decided that Employment Job Offer will be signed by both parties prior to the worker’s departure from Pakistan. That Job Offer will clearly state the rights and obligations of the worker and employer. In addition, that Job Offer will provide the basis for the Employment Contract to be registered in the UAE. Moreover, Article 6 of the MoU deals with the dispute resolution between the worker and his employer. As per the MoU, in case no amicable settlement is reached within 6 weeks of the complaint filed by the complainant, the complaint will be referred to the judicial authorities. The two Governments have also agreed to establish a Joint Committee to implement this MoU. The Committee will meet regularly to monitor and evaluate/assess the implementation of this MoU. This MoU is an important step forward in streamlining the contractual employment regime for Pakistani workers and protect their rights through institutionalized mechanisms. **-*-**
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