The minister in charge of the labour market denied there is any plan to double the ban period imposed on workers who break labour laws.
Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, spoke to Gulf News yesterday in response to a report in an Arabic daily that the labour ministry had proposed amending the labour law to double the ban period to two years from the existing one year.
"On the contrary, we have recalled the labour law to reconsider amendments previously submitted to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf for approval," Dr Al Ka'abi said.
He did not give any time frame as to when the amended labour law will be issued. There are two types of bans: one is a year-long ban imposed by the labour ministry on workers who break the labour laws or fail to abide by their employment contract; the second is for six months and is imposed by the immigration authorities on workers who quit and leave for home regardless of qualifications.
Expatriate workers who have their residence visas cancelled before leaving the country will receive a six-month ban that prohibits them from taking on another job during this period.
Immigration authorities do not issue any visa for those who receive this ban.
Expatriates on the ban list must have their visa cancelled if they want to switch to another job and must stay outside the UAE for at least six months.
