Labour Ministry launches self evaluation portal

Ministry of Labour has launched the electronic self-evaluation project in Fujairah, which will be run on an experimental basis for six months.

In line with its Strategic Plan 2010-12, the project aims to provide distinctive e-services and enhance effective cooperative relationship with the private sector.

Maher Al Oabad Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Inspection, said the electronic project will strengthen inspection and control measures of the ministry as well as ensure the application of the Labour Code.

In a press conference, attended by Essa Al Zarouni, Director of Inspection Department in Dubai, he said: "The idea of self-evaluation has been adopted in many sectors, but it is the first time it is being used for inspections."

“The programme is implemented in Fujairah for six months. After which, it will be evaluated for any errors and then circulated across the country," he added.

Al Oabad said the project involves nine points such as emiratisation, registers, files, leave, women's employment, wages, occupational health and safety, employment contracts, work hours and workload assessment. He explained the project enables companies to evaluate themselves by aswering questions on e-Natwasal (e-communicate) website - the ministry's electronic portal. Thereafter will be an internal audit by the ministry. The final outcome of the evaluation will be through answering 120 questions related to labour laws.

“The applied system is flexible and can be applied to all institutions regardless of the size and nature of its work," he said and added that the implementation of this project will be gradual over a  period of three years.

Essa Al Zarouni, Director of Inspection Department, Labour Ministry, said: "The project will be launched in four stages. The first phase will linclude facilities with more than 1,000 workers."

“The third stage involves the decision-making, by preparing a special report on the evaluation process for these facilities, access to data and official papers submitted, and ensuring there are no deficiencies or irregularities, and to verify the application of established regulations and laws," Al Zarouni added.

He added the project will raise the bar on services provided in the field of inspection and reduce the number of labour complaints such as delayed salaries, housing, work hours, etc.

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