10 September 2005
DUBAI -- To promptly fulfill the requirements of companies for workers, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is processing about 50 per cent of work permit applications without inspection visits, said a ministry source.
The department has set a target to finish labour inspection reports in a maximum of two days, stressed the source, adding: "This will help in minimising the number of days needed for companies that still require carrying out field inspection visits to prepare the necessary report on their performance and status," he said.
The new system helped clearing more than 70 per cent of the applications that were pending with the Inspection Department for reports, he pointed out.
Following the new work system, sanctioning work permit applications without the need for field inspection visits is being adopted in respect of well established companies which also maintained records clear from violations, he said.
The director of the ministry's Labour Inspection Department who is also the head of the Work Permit Committee has authorised the inspectors who have work experience to report on applicant companies.
According to the new work procedures, the Work Permit Committee transfers all applications to the Inspection department which has to report on the status and compliance of the applicant companies," he noted, adding: "The Inspection Department used to give appointments to applicant companies to carry out the field visit."
"Now, there is no need for inspection companies that have maintained good reputation with the ministry and were genuine and showed compliance. The authorised inspectors prepare their report instantly," he noted.
However, these companies should submit certain documents along with the work permit applications to avail such facility. These documents include the applicant company's salary statement of the last month, copy of project contract for which the applicant company needed workers, lease contract for worker's accommodation and a photo of the provided accommodation, he said.
If an applicant company failed to submit these documents or have missing documents, the application is instantly turned back to the company's PRO and asked to complete the papers, he noted.
"Once the applicant company completes the required documents, the inspection report is prepared instantly and the application is transferred to the committee to make its final decision," he noted.
"According to the previous work procedures, work permit applications used to be kept in the department's shelves and studied when their turn came. A filed visit appointment day would be given and a report used to be prepared following the visit. The earlier system resulted in delaying sanctioning company's demands for workers," he observed.
With the new system, the number of applicant companies that require field visits has become lesser, while inspection visits and reports are being prepared faster, he added.
By Eman Al Baik
© Khaleej Times 2005
