Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1) - United Arab Emirates (Ratification: 1982)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report in reply to its previous direct request. It notes in particular the study undertaken by a Government technical committee to determine cases of permanent exceptions to normal hours of work, under the terms of Article 6, paragraph 1(a), of the Convention.

The Committee notes the statement that the above Government technical committee proposes to amend certain provisions of Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 by empowering the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, in a new section, to issue regulations concerning hours worked on preparatory and supplementary work performed outside the limits set for work of a general nature. It also notes that the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Coordinating Association of Professional Associations will be consulted before the adoption of the Decree to amend the above Law.

The Committee notes that the envisaged measures would establish a maximum weekly limit of 12 overtime hours, which is a reasonable limit. It recalls in this respect the need to ensure that the obligation of the employer to keep a record of all additional hours worked, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 1(c), of the Convention, and as stated in point 2.4 of the Government's report, is included in these measures.

The Committee hopes that the Government technical committee will, in the same spirit, undertake a study to determine the cases in which temporary exceptions may be allowed to normal working hours, in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 1(b), of the Convention.

The Committee trusts that the Government will make every effort to adopt the envisaged measures as soon as possible and requests it to supply information on all developments in this respect.