Article 154: Definition of Collective Labour Disputes
Q. What constitutes a "collective labour dispute" according to Article 154?
A “collective labour dispute” refers to any dispute between an employer and his workers, which involves the common interest of all or a group of the workers in a certain firm, occupation, trade, or professional sector.
Article 155: Procedure for Settling Collective Labour Disputes
Q. What procedures are followed for settling collective labour disputes, as outlined in Article 155?
Where a dispute occurs between one or more employers and all or a certain group of their workers, which the parties fail to settle amicably, certain procedures shall be followed, including submitting complaints in writing and mediation by the labour department.
Article 156: Referral of Disputes to Conciliation Committee
Q. What happens when mediation does not lead to a settlement, as mentioned in Article 156?
If mediation does not lead to a settlement, the competent labour department shall refer the dispute to the competent conciliation committee for determination.
Article 157: Constitution of the Conciliation Committee
Q. What is the role and composition of the conciliation committee, as described in Article 157?
A committee, called the conciliation committee, shall be set up within each labour department to mediate and settle collective labour disputes.
Article 158: Settlement of Disputes by the Conciliation Committee
Q. What is the role of each party and the expected timeline for dispute resolution, as per Article 158?
Each party shall pursue the dispute before the conciliation committee until a settlement is reached, and the committee shall issue its decision within two weeks.
Article 159: Continuation of Workers' Representatives
Q. What happens to workers' representatives if they are repudiated or dismissed, as per Article 159?
The repudiation of employment contracts or dismissal of workers' representatives to the conciliation committee shall not preclude them from continuing to discharge their functions on the committee.
Article 160: Supreme Arbitration Board
Q. What is the purpose and authority of the Supreme Arbitration Board, as outlined in Article 160?
A board, the Supreme Arbitration Board, shall be set up within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to settle collective labour disputes.
Article 161: Authority of the Supreme Arbitration Board
Q. What role does the Supreme Arbitration Board play in resolving collective labour disputes, as stated in Article 161?
The Supreme Arbitration Board shall finally and conclusively settle all collective labour disputes referred to it by the parties concerned.
Article 162: Regulation of Litigation Proceedings
Q. What role does the Council of Ministers play in the regulation of litigation proceedings, as mentioned in Article 162?
The Council of Ministers shall issue an order regulating litigation proceedings and other rules necessary for the efficient progress of the Conciliation Committee and the Supreme Arbitration Board.
Article 163: Finality of Decisions
Q. When can a dispute be raised again after a final decision, according to Article 163?
None of the parties to a dispute on which a final decision has been rendered by any of the boards provided for in this Section shall raise it again except with the mutual agreement of the two parties concerned.
Article 164: Application of Applicable Laws
Q. Which laws and principles guide the boards in resolving collective labour disputes, as detailed in Article 164?
The boards provided for in this Chapter shall apply the provisions of this Law, the laws currently in force, the provisions of Islamic Sharia law, and any rules of customary law and principles of equity, natural law, and comparative law consistent therewith.
Article 165: Implementation of Supreme Arbitration Board Decisions in Collective Labor Disputes
Q. What is the Role of the Supreme Arbitration Board Decisions?
The decisions of the Supreme Arbitration Board in the settlement of collective labour disputes shall be implemented in collaboration with the competent authority in each Emirate.
Q. Why is This Important?
This ensures that the decisions made by the Supreme Arbitration Board are effectively enforced and that the collaboration with local authorities strengthens their application.
