The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking steps to reform its labor laws, local authorities say. At a press conference in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, September 29, officials outlined three significant reforms, effective next year, that are meant to protect the rights of some 5 million migrant laborers, many of whom are building major cultural, institutional, and infrastructure projects there, and who have been subjected to wage theft, inadequate housing, and passport confiscation.

“The issue isn’t about the legal system itself, but some of the practices that have been associated with it,” said Labor Minister Saqr Ghobash.