The Ministry of Labour has announced it would abandon an age-old slow paperwork system and start issuing electronic labour cards and work permits, saying the new system would slash visa time from 15 to just 2 days.
Undersecretary for Labour Affairs Humaid bin Dimas said the Ministry is discussing such a landmark project with its “strategic partners” and all labour parties before replacing the traditional plastic labour card with a computerised E-card.
He said such plans were part of the UAE’s strategy to convert to smart government in line with instructions by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Quoted by the Arabic language daily Emarat Al Youm, Dimas said the Ministry has already started work on such project, which involves gradual phasing out of the old system and replacing it with a quick mechanism that will save much time and effort.
“As part of the new system, there will be no need for applicants to produce the required documents such as the passport, the visa, the licence and medical examination certificate…the Ministry will now only accept a labour contract signed between the worker and the employer as it includes all required data,” he said.
“The ministry will then approve it and issue an E-contract, which will then be sent to the Ministry of Interior through a computer link so it will issue visas to workers after they produced medical certificate and other documents. These procedures will cut the time needed to issue the permit from 15 days to less than 48 hours.”
He said the E-card would have the same valid two-year period as that of the old card and that there would be no increase in fees.
“These procedures will allow the Ministry to avert all problems it faces in the present system, including that some workers have their visa issued without completing labour card measures. Besides, there will be no more delays in issuing labour permits.”