Around 141,500 fines have been issued for incomplete work permit registration or late renewals against 52,765 private sector companies, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced.

Saif Al Suwaidi, under-secretary of human resources at the Ministry, said: "The number of fines cumulates to 15 per cent of the total sum of companies recorded within the Ministry's database."

"Those who failed to adhere are advised to approach the ministry and pay the reduced sums following the Cabinet's recent decree to cut all fines to Dh2,000 per worker," Al Suwaidi added.

In a statement, the Ministry said that additional work permits will not be granted if establishments fail to settle their dues.

Recalling the recent Cabinet decree, the ministry reduced all fine amounts on work permits and labour contracts and put a ceiling of Dh2,000 in accumulated fines.

The new fines decree states that the failure to provide the ministry with the worker's contract of employment within a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of entry or the residence status modification date is fined Dh100 for each month of delay up to a maximum of Dh2,000. The previous fine was Dh500 for each month of delay without specifying a maximum limit.

Failure to renew work permits within a period not exceeding 60 days from the expiry date is charged at Dh200 per month up to a maximum of Dh2,000, while the previous fine was Dh500 for each month of delay without setting a maximum limit for the fine.

If an employer fails to provide the ministry with a mission work permit labour contract within a period of 30 days from the worker's date of entry, the fine is Dh100 per day up to a maximum of Dh2,000. Previously, the fine was Dh100 per day but without a maximum limit.

Failure to renew the mission work permit labour contract within a period of seven days from the expiry date will see a fine of Dh100 per day up to a maximum of Dh2,000. The previous fine did not set a maximum limit. - Wam

Source: Khaleej Times