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Stringent scrutiny at labour ministry

ABU DHABI — Labour authorities have adopted stringent scrutiny measures to curb unauthorised processing agents from influencing the process of labour transactions, by appointing a policeman and two ministry employees to check the designations of applicants.

“Anyone who does not have official documents to process the transactions, wouldn’t be allowed into the hall where different labour transactions are handled,” an official source at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs yesterday, told Khaleej Times.

He said the head of the hall where employment visa applications, renewal of labour card, issuance of labour cards and granting of licences are processed, has also been directed to be vigilant in monitoring applicants.

“The ministry has also instructed the staff, to double-check the designations of the applicants before accepting their transactions,” said the source, noting that applications would only be accepted from authorised agents, owners and companies PROs.

“The move would help in fighting any forms of favouratism or influence of acquaintances to speed up processing of transactions”, he added.

The official disclosed the ministry has reshuffled the two committees in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai responsible for deciding on applications for licensing recruitment or import offices for non-national labourforce.

“The reshuffled committees are also responsible for settling employees labour status, and other labour complaints including issues like fines and sponsorship transfer, in addition to cases transferred by Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, or other labour senior officials,” said the source.

He said each committee has to carefully study applicants in the mentioned domains and make sure the set conditions and requirements were met to issue its decision in accordance with the ministerial decree No. 233 for 1998.