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579 visa violations by firms this year

DUBAI - The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has warned companies and expatriates against violating Labour Laws to avoid penalties.

The warning comes in the wake of the ministry detecting 579 cases of visa violations in companies during the first eight months of this year.

Sulaiman Abdullah, Head of the Labour Inspection Department, said that out of the total of 579 violators who were found working in various private firms, 287 were on visit visas, 122 on domestic servant visas and 170 on parental visas.

The ministry will continue with its inspection campaign to ensure that the private sector complies with the ministry's rules and regulations aimed at streamlining the labour market and maintaining its stability, he said, adding that those who were found violating the Labour Laws and the ministry's regulations will be subject to stipulated penalties and fines.

The Labour Law prohibits anyone from working in the private sector without obtaining the necessary work permit or labour card from the ministry.

"Instead of violating the law, the companies and expatriates involved should have followed the necessary procedures regarding recruitment," he said.

Besides, Article No. 3, para C and D, exclude domestic servants employed in private residences and workers employed in agricultural activity or grazing of animals from the provisions of the Labour Law, and hence, have no right to file claims or complaints with the Labour Ministry.

According to Administrative Decision No. 1 of 2001 of the Ministry of Interior, those who are on Naturalisation and Residency Department's visas - visitors or on parental or personal visas - are ineligible for sponsorship transfer, a ministry source clarified.

"If a person who is on a visit is offered a job here, he or she should amend the status in accordance with the Ministry of Interior's rules and then go through the necessary procedures with the Labour Ministry," he said.

"Those on parental visas can continue being on parental visas and get jobs provided the employer issues the necessary labour card," he explained.

"However, those on personal visas like domestic servants including personal drivers will have to have their visas issued by the Naturalisation and Residency Department cancelled and face the one year ban of the Ministry of Interior to be eligible for a job in the private sector," he said.

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