Work contracts of Indians for jobs in UAE must be endorsed by Indian authorities

New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) Indians seeking to migrate to UAE for employment can now expect an assured salary package and better work environment with both countries today introducing a system under which work contracts of prospective employees will have to be endorsed by Indian authorities. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and UAE Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash signed a protocol to this effect in Abu Dhabi to streamline the employment process of Indian workers through an electronic contract registration and validation system. The setting up of the new mechanism comes amid rising complaints of exploitation of Indian workers by recruitment agencies and employers in the Gulf region. UAE has been a favourite destination for employment for skilled and un-skilled Indian workers whose number has grown to approximately 1.7 million in the country. The new system heralds a joint endeavour by UAE and India to ensure welfare of the workers, a senior official of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said here. "The protocol mandates the informed consent and approval by the worker, the employer and the Indian competent authorities of the full terms of the work contract prior to the worker's deployment to the UAE," said an official release. It said contract terms and conditions will have to be signed by workers and employers and must be registered with UAE's Ministry of Labour. Ravi, who is on a two-day visit to the country, hailed the new initiative which he said would protect the interest of workers as well as the employers. PTI