UAE | Government
Employers split on paying bill for new identity cards
Employers across the UAE are divided on whether or not they should cover the cost of the newly introduced ID cards for their staff, Gulf News has learned.
- By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
- Published: 23:54 September 1, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Employers across the UAE are divided on whether or not they should cover the cost of the newly introduced ID cards for their staff, Gulf News has learned.
Some say they are already burdened by the costs involved in recruiting foreign workers, while others said costs are minimal in comparison. However officials say employers must fit the bill for the ID card for their workers.
Saleh Bin Nasra, chairman of Al Shorfa Real Estate, criticised the move.
"Companies are already burdened by the high costs involved in recruiting expatriate workers from overseas," he said. "I think authorities should consider offering the ID cards for free, given the fact that it is necessary for security and other reasons."
However, Emad Al Jamal, managing partner of Oriental Engineering Construction, said the cost of Dh300 per card period is not unreasonable, given that the average cost of bringing a worker from overseas is around Dh7,000.
Ministry of Labour officials said they would encourage employers to bear the costs of the identity cards over employees.
"Under the labour law, employers must bear all charges for governmental transactions for their workers," an official explained. "The ID card will eventually replace the labour card, whose cost is borne by the employer."
Illegal status
Residents living in the UAE who don't have the new cards by the end of 2010 will be considered illegal and their employers will be penalised.
"Schools will not accept admission of their children and their employers will be taken to task for recruiting them," said Darwish Ahmad Al Zarouni, Director General of the Emirates Identity Authority.
More from UAE Government
More from UAE
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
