Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 16: New workers coming to UAE for employment should submit certificate of qualification even if they practise professions based on expertise, Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi said yesterday.

Dr Al Kaabi said the ministry had exempted manpower working inside the country and occupying administrative positions and professions, which needed expertise from submitting such certificate but they should present a certificate of experience.

He added that many groups would take advantage of this resolution including supervisors and heads of professional practices and activities.

“The UAE welcomes innovative professionals and experts regardless of their source of origin. We will not be lenient to unearth and pursue unqualified and untrustworthy persons,” he emphasised.

He explained that the process of verifying qualifications would be expanded to include also applicants for renewal of labour cards.

He indicated the ministry launched in September 2005 a system for multi-layered degree attestation and verification to root out the menace of fake degrees.

The minister revealed that more than 100,000 degrees obtained by their holders from educational institutions from Egypt, India, Philippines, Pakistan and UK had been verified so far.

“The updating and upgrading of the verification software, developed by Integra Screen, global leader in screening solutions, has become an urgent imperative to maintain the quality of workforce in the country in light of the increasing population and steady growth of domestic economy,” he noted.

Paul Kane, Director-General of Integra Screen, Middle East, said the company is equipped to handle large volumes of degree verification applications for thousands of workers staying in the country.

The verification process will be fool-proof and cost-effective, he said.