iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Pleas for transfer of visa start pouring in
ABU DHABI — The new sponsorship transfer system will help increase high calibre labour force in the country, said a top labour official, informing that the ministry has already commenced receiving applications on visa transfer.
“The decision will allow the country to avail of highly skilled professionals that the economy needs. This category has to enjoy a suitable atmosphere in the local labour market. We should attract them and benefit from their high qualifications which would enhance the economy,” the official told Khaleej Times.
He said the new mechanisms and rules fall in the same line with the main objective of streamlining labour market and boost the economy.
Recently, the government introduced a new visa transfer system, under which all categories of employees can transfer their sponsorship provided they meet certain regulations based on qualifications and fees.
On whether new decisions were applicable to the rest of the GCC member states, based on prior coordination between labour ministries in these countries, the official said: “These measures are confined to the UAE labour market where nationals shun from some of the vacancies available, creating an imbalance in labour force in terms of nationalities.”
He noted that the system is facing some technical problems and would be in place soon, noting the ministry has already commenced receiving applications on visa transfer.
Answering a question on the destiny of thousands of expat workers who are on individual visas, the official said a mechanism or rules regulating transfer of visa from individuals to private companies has still not been decided on. “The ministry has to coordinate with the Immigration and Residence Department to chalk out a mechanism to safeguard the interest of this category,” he said.
There are more than 300,000 expat workers, mainly private drivers and taxi drivers, who are on sponsorship of individuals.
On sponsorship transfer of employees to another firm owned by the same employer, the official explained that visa transfer is possible for a Dh500 fee in inter-emirate visa transfers.
Responding to an inquiry on the ‘Assignment Visa’ issued for some professionals to temporarily work in the UAE, the official explained: “The three-month visa is renewable only once for Dh500 to be paid to the ministry and then Dh600 to immigration authorities.”
On the amended labour law anticipated to be enforced soon, the official said the draft law was forwarded to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for approval.
More news from
Mohamad El Kurdi and Fiona Erdmann are the founders of FNM Properties
Out of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead
There is speculation Nadal may retire from the sport at the Laver Cup
Over 50,000 carats of polished diamonds will be offered for sale
Indian expat Shikha Aggarwal tweaked her lifestyle and got fit in the process
Over half of Chinese men now say they would agree to become a stay-at-home dad, a 2019 survey cited by state media suggested — up from just 17 per cent in 2007
Lebanese civil aviation authorities have banned walkie-talkies and pagers on flights or shipped by air, reports a news agency