Khaleej Times

ABU DHABI , Oct 13: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) is to introduce one-step sponsorship transfer to minimise workers' difficulties soon.

An informed source at the MoL told Khaleej Times yesterday that the new simplified procedure will come into effect after alterations to the system at the Abu Dhabi office.

Under the new system, the workers will not have to go to the MoL more than once to get the approval for the sponsorship transfer. "Now we are implementing an amendment in the system to reduce the workload at the ministry and to simplify the procedures for the ministry's services for the labourers at the ministry's office in Abu Dhabi," said the source.

The new system would need the consent of the old sponsor to the transfer, to move over to the new sponsor.

"The worker must obtain the employer's approval and submit the application at the labour office counter. Then they should pay the sponsorship transfer fee at the labour office to complete the transaction," the source added.

The highly placed official at the MoL, explaining the new step, said that it would be in the labourers' favour because when they get the current employer's consent for sponsorship transfer, they could come to the labour office and apply and obtain the ministry's approval in just one visit.

The new labour card after transferring the sponsorship would be sent by MOL by post.

This new procedure is aimed at protecting  the worker because some employers (sponsors) agree on the transferring of sponsorship and then refuse to go to sign in the ministry's office that puts the worker in trouble who may lose the new offer