As of now, businesses in the UAE are eligible to request exemption from administrative fines, as declared by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) on Friday, September 6.
During the two-month grace period, companies can seek exemption from fines associated with the failure to submit employment contracts to the Ministry or the renewal of work permits. This initiative is part of the four services introduced by MoHRE to correct the status of non-compliant workers and grant establishments relief from administrative fines within the same grace period.
The services offered by the Ministry encompass the issuance, renewal, and cancellation of work permits, along with handling complaints of work abandonment. These services are accessible to those who qualify for the status settlement grace period, including individuals with expired work or residency permits and those facing work abandonment complaints, whether they are associated with establishments or are domestic workers.
The Ministry encourages violating workers and employers to utilize the visa amnesty to rectify their status, providing a chance to continue working in the country and resolve past violations. The visa amnesty program, implemented by the government, allows violating workers who opt to leave the country to do so without facing legal repercussions. They will be exempted from financial penalties in accordance with the Federal Law on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Regulation of Employment Relationship Law.
From September 1 to October 31, the four services initiative is being executed in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) under the slogan ‘Towards a Safer Society’, targeting individuals who committed violations prior to September 1.
The Ministry is currently accepting applications to settle the status of violators through its website mohre.gov.ae, the MOHRE mobile app available on the Apple and Google Play stores, as well as at business service centers and domestic workers services centers. In a press statement, the Ministry emphasized its dedication to processing applications swiftly and efficiently 24/7, ensuring that applicants can easily rectify their status through a flexible and seamless process.
