Friday, October 23, 2009

Dubai wants axed Anglesey Aluminium workers


AXED aluminium workers on Anglesey are being targeted by a company developing the world’s biggest smelter complex nearly 4,000 miles away in the Middle East.

More than 300 workers lost their jobs at Anglesey Aluminium in Holyhead last month when smelting operations were halted over the failure to secure a new power deal.

Now the Emirates Aluminium Company, which is building a $5.7bn the giant smelter at Khalifa Port between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has launched a recruitment campaign to target the redundant workers.

They want the workers to help staff the smelter complex where production is set to start in 2010.

Unite the Union said the offers would do nothing for the long-term future of the region.

One redundant worker said moving abroad was an option that former workers could be forced to take because of a lack of local opportunities.

Dad-of-two Alwyn Roberts, 47, of Llanfairpwll, said: "I have searched locally but there is nothing but part-time work. Moving abroad is a last resort but is something I have to consider, particularly if I want to earn comparable wages.

"I have spoken to the family and they are not keen, but if there is nothing at all here then I have look at other possibilities. I have teenage girls so being away months at a time is not ideal but I have to find work."

Graham Rogers, regional organiser from Unite, said: "This is no long term solution and what we need are jobs and opportunities in North Wales, not thousands of miles away.

"Workers taking these jobs could put a huge strain on relationships and families, it is certainly not ideal although I know there are very few opportunities back here at the moment. Those who have found work locally have taken large pay cuts."

Founded in February 2007, Emirates Aluminium (Emal), an $8bn joint venture of Dubai Aluminium and Abu Dhabi government-owned investment vehicle Mubadala Development Company, aims to create the world’s largest single-site smelter complex.

MP Albert Owen said: "The fact that the workers are wanted across the world proves the skills and experience base we have here on Anglesey. We need to redouble the efforts to keep those skills on Anglesey. If people do go abroad we need to ensure that opportunities are creating in the future so they can come back."

Source

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Dubai recruiter referred to public prosecutor on fees


The UAE Ministry of Labour said on Thursday it has referred Dubai recruitment agency Execuland to the public prosecutor after the company was found to be charging jobseekers for their applications.

A sting operation by the Ministry of Labour (MoL), one in a series of crackdowns on rogue recruiters in the country, found that the company was charging candidates for applying for jobs.

“The ministry has suspended the company file, which means stopping the issuance of new work permits, and has transferred the case to the public prosecutor to take the necessary legal action,” said Maher Hamad Al Obad, the executive director of inspection.

Source