The single "e-unit" system which was introduced in Dubai in October has been successful.
"We are trying to integrate the work of all departments. We are going to create one uniform system to issue labour permits. We will start applying this service very soon in Abu Dhabi.
"Under the new system, all transactions can be conducted via the Internet, and it will be applied to all big companies in the emirates," he said.
Al Khazraji said the ministry started by offering this service to 250 establishments in Dubai and the experience proved successful. He added that the e-unit committee allow the ministry to be part of the e-government initiative in Dubai.
Al Khazraji said currently there are 10 committees issuing labour permits. Once the unit is in place, there will only be one. Its members will represent all the ministry's departments nationwide.
Through the unit, the ministry will assess applications for labour permits from various places in the emirates and a committee will decide whether to accept or reject them.
"This committee will help in reducing the work load and will process transactions more efficiently," he explained.
He said the computer network will be ready soon. The e-unit will reduce the number of transactions and will also reduce 70 per cent of possible errors.
The ministry will initially pilot-test the system with 20 establishments.
This will be gradually expanded to include 60 establishments, before hitting the target of 250. Very soon, it will be applied to all private companies in the country.
Issuing labour permits is expected to take one or two days, including the approval of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department and security transactions, which in the past used to take more than a month.
A total of 592,689 labour permits were issued in the emirate of Dubai by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs between 1997 and 2001, as per to the recent statistical book of Dubai Municipality.
A source from the ministry said 1997 witnessed the highest number. "This year the ministry issued 177,518 labour permits. However, 2000 saw a high decline with the number totalling to 67,400. In 2001 the figure was 77,149.
"Moreover, with the proposed amendment of the labour law and the new regulation to monitor the labour market the number is expected to reduce even more."
KEY STATISTICS:
LABOUR CARDS ISSUED
- 1997 - 167,112
- 1998 - 138,671
- 1999 - 94,144
- 2000 - 78,139
- 2001 - 67,025
PERMITS CANCELLLED
- 1997 - 53,557
- 1998 - 63,377
- 1999 - 66,773
- 2000 - 56,898
- 2001 - 52,353
