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Short-term work permits on cards for firms in Dubai

ABU DHABI — After successful introduction in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) will begin issuing ‘mission permits’ (temporary short-term work permits) to the companies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, according to Khalil Khoury, Director of the Work Permit Department in the MoL.

He told Khaleej Times that Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka’abi will announce the new service in Dubai on Thursday.

“The companies from different sectors can be issued ‘mission permits’. Such permits were issued in the past only to oil and energy companies,” said Khoury.

He added that the Work Permit Department in the emirate of Abu Dhabi had begun issuing ‘mission permits’ to companies in different fields to give them an opportunity to place new workers on a probation period.

The decision has mainly concentrated on serving the contracting and construction companies.

The three-month permit will cost Dh500. For a three-month extension of the permit, companies would have to pay Dh500 along with a Dh3,000 bank guarantee.

“The ‘mission permit’ is not expensive. It is beneficial to all, as the firms can check the qualifications and the performance of the workers they have recruited, and the workers’ rights would be protected,” added Khoury.

He explained that the ‘mission permits’ would be useful for the business activities that need workers in seasons such as during the last week and next few weeks that witness official holidays.

Also, the ‘mission permits’ will weed out the phenomenon of hiring visitors and help streamline the labour market, protect the rights of workers and create a balanced work environment in the country.