A/HRC/14/43/Add.3 significantly contributed to the building of the country has also created tremendous challenges for Emirati society, in terms of national identity, social integration and capacity for absorption. While the Government has taken commendable initiatives in recent years to address some of these numerous challenges, much remains to be done in terms of legislation, policies and their effective implementation, as well as in terms of human rights education and awareness-raising. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur would like to make the following recommendations. On national identity and the granting of citizenship 64. The Special Rapporteur is of the view that a public debate on the question of the definition of national identity might help defuse tensions and ensure the peaceful coexistence of the great variety of ethnic and national groups residing in the country. This debate could be held by the Federal National Council and could be complemented by a more open setting (public conference or seminar) allowing Emirati citizens to convey their concerns and find equitable solutions to this important issue. Members of foreign communities who constitute the great majority of the population in the country should also be invited to contribute constructively in such a public debate. 65. While the granting of citizenship and the rights and privileges attached thereto remain within the domestic jurisdiction of each State, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government reconsider its current policy on the granting of citizenship in line with international law. In addition, bearing in mind that human rights are, in principle, to be enjoyed by all persons, a fair and just balance should be reached between rights conferred to nationals and those conferred to non-nationals. It is also necessary to ensure that valid applications for citizenship by individuals who have lawfully lived in the United Arab Emirates for a certain period of time be reviewed and processed in a non-discriminatory manner. The policy in this area ought to be fully harmonized in all seven Emirates, so that individuals are guaranteed equal treatment in the whole country when applying for citizenship. On construction and domestic workers 66. The Special Rapporteur was told by virtually all his interlocutors that the living and working conditions of unskilled foreign workers had much improved in recent years thanks to commendable initiatives taken by the Government. Nonetheless, the Special Rapporteur believes that significant efforts are still needed to remedy the manifold and long-standing human rights violations suffered by unskilled foreign workers, including construction and domestic workers. In the context of the global economic crisis, he urges the Government to take necessary steps, including legislative ones, to address issues relating to, inter alia, the severe risk of exploitation of unskilled foreign workers under the sponsorship system, the confiscation of their passports, the prohibition to constitute trade unions and their contracted debts with labour recruitment agencies. 67. The Special Rapporteur was pleased to learn about steps undertaken to review Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 on regulation of labour relations. He recommends that the proposed draft amendments be publicly circulated — as was done in February 2007 — so that relevant stakeholders, including civil society representatives, may convey their suggestions to the authorities about the draft law. Once adopted, the Special Rapporteur hopes that the effective implementation of the revised law will offer enhanced protection to all workers. In particular, he recommends that the revised law include provisions aiming at protecting the right to establish trade unions, in accordance with international human rights standards. 18 GE.10-12576