South Asian workers coming to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will now be able to complete their visa formalities in their own countries.
UAE's labour ministry will soon set up offices in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to complete work permit formalities like medical tests, signing of e-contracts as well as for providing working mission visas instead of visit visas.
The new initiative will virtually curb the practice of visit visas and will ensure all rights to the workers such as medical care, accommodation, and the right to complain at the ministry, the Khaleej Times reported.
"The working mission visa will be valid for six months and will be renewable for another six months to ensure that the worker can change job if he desires," a spokesperson of the labour ministry said.
Last month, during the visit of UAE's Labour Minister Dr. Ali Bin Abdulla Al-Ka'abi, India and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to safeguard the interests of the Indian workers in that country and to ensure their welfare.