"The government of the emirate has taken proactive steps to counter problems faced by some expatriate workers in relation to accommodation, such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of individual privacy, lack of communal space, and lack of access to recreational facilities," a document containing the policy agenda for 2007-08 said.

Recognising that these issues substantially impact the quality of life, health and sense of dignity of those affected, the government has supported the development of dedicated, low cost worker residences that meet or exceed international benchmarks for worker accommodation.

Abu Dhabi is studying mechanisms to combat exploitation by some recruitment agencies operating outside UAE, which recruit workers on the basis of salary and benefit terms that do not correspond to those actually on offer by the domestic employer in the UAE, The Gulf of News reported.

Although a vast majority of foreign labourers working in Abu Dhabi provide their services and receive their agreed compensation and benefits without incident, cases of non-payment or failure of employers to completely fulfill the terms of individual labour contracts continue to be a concern, the document said.