Dubai: The Ministry of Labour has taken all necessary arrangements to issue temporary work permits free of charge to shopping malls in Dubai to enable them to recruit extra workers for one month.

The move comes after the recent decision issued by Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, which allows the issuance of temporary work permits free of charge to Dubai-based shopping malls during Eid Al Adha celebrations.

The move is in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on holding entertainment sessions and family recreation during Eid in Dubai, where the shopping malls will be open round-the-clock and in need of extra workers.

Humaid Bin Deemas, the ministry’s Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, said the ministry will issue free temporary labour permits to shopping malls and firms provided that they meet the required conditions and documents.

He said the targeted firms and shopping malls registered with the Ministry can get the free temporary permits by logging onto the Ministry’s website and filling the application form without the need to approach service centres and typing offices.

Who can be recruited?

Registered firms can recruit two categories of workers: those registered with the Ministry and already with valid labour cards, and those sponsored by their parents.

In a statement issued earlier, Gobash said targeted firms can recruit temporary labour for only one month in the UAE, indicating that their working hours will be lesser compared to their peers in the same firms.

He added that those entitled to the temporary work permits include registered workers who hold the valid labour cards, those on sponsorship of guardians, such as women over 18, husbands of Emirati women, sons and daughters of Emirati women, students over 18, and government employees provided consent of their institutions. The work permits will not be issued to those above 65.

Under the decision, shopping malls in Dubai will be provided with free additional work permits over Eid Al Adha to be able to recruit more temporary staff to cope with demand during the typically busy holiday period.

Retailers in Dubai are anticipating bumper trade over Eid Al Adha, which starts on Thursday, when shopping malls will remain open 24 hours a day.