Ten companies issued with warnings over labour camp safety violation

The campaign follows the directive issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai that outlined a programme of enhancement of services for workers, with safety given high priority.

Inspection teams from the Dubai Civil Defence Department, headed by Lt. General Ibrahim Obaid Al Sayegh, Inspection Coordinator, conducted the surprise visits. (The companies were given a grace period to rectify the offences. They will have their licences suspended and could face prosecution if failed to rectify. Offending companies were given a grace period to comply, failing which they will have their licenses suspended and could face prosecution.

Brigadier Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director of the Dubai Civil Defence Department, said: 'The directives provide us with a framework to evaluate our performance, and as an impetus for cooperation between government departments and private companies to provide workers with safer accommodation.'

He said that common offences recorded at the offending labour camps included lack of central gas connections in kitchens, poor electrical wiring, wooden partitions in rooms,(rooms including) including kitchens, deficient safety equipment, the absence of alarm systems, lack of safety instructions and use of shisha pipes in bedrooms.

Brigadier Al Matroushi urged all companies to observe safety measures approved by the Dubai Civil Defence Department , and warned that the Department will continue its surprise inspection campaign at labour camps and accommodation to ensure safety standards are met and maintained.