The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has completed its electronic processing system for labour card renewal transactions. The move is part of plans to achieve a full e-government system.
From May 22, all requests for labour card renewals must be submitted electronically through the Ministry's website at www.mol.gov.ae.
For labour card renewals, people should not go to the ministry unless they need changes in their labour cards or contracts.
Dr Khalid Al Khazraji, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, yesterday said: "These procedures will soon give way to a full- fledged electronic ministry. It will cut down the steps needed to complete labour transactions and will leave no room for mistakes. Transactions now will be completed and mailed in the same day."
He added that since the information is already in the Ministry's database, it is not necessary to type in any additional information. "Once the card number is entered, the details will be displayed on the screen and it only needs to be printed."
He said requests for changes in labour cards or contracts should not be submitted electronically or through post.
"Requests for changes in labour cards or permits make up 10 per cent of total requirements for labour card renewals. In cases where people want changes, they should come to the Ministry to get the applications processed," he said.
The ministry will not accept such changes unless they are given in person, otherwise the labour card will be issued according to the version in the database.
The undersecretary advised institutions to either use the electronic system directly or utilise the services of typing offices.
"We want all typing offices to be part of the system since companies who cannot implement the system themselves can refer to typing offices."
Based on the success of these procedures, the ministry will apply them for issuing work permits also.
"An electronic link with the General Directorate of Naturalisation and Residency will mean that employees will only have to refer to the directorate after receiving a note from us when their permits are ready. Such a system can be put in place within the upcoming month if a link with the directorate is established," Al Khazraji said.
Khazraji also denied attacks made by the National Consultative Council last week over non-refundable transactions, saying that a joint committee between the Ministry of Finance and Industrial Affairs looks into these cases and refunds transactions that have been submitted several times but rejected because of errors.
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