Children under 15 now need ID card -Eida

Abu Dubai authorities have cancelled a decision to exempt children under 15 from having a national ID card and told their families to register them before the end of a new deadline on October 1.

The announcement by the Emirates National Identity Authority (Eida) follows a decision by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) that all children must produce a national ID card when registering for the new school year.

“Emirati and expatriate families of all children under 15 must apply to register their children with the national identity,” Eida said in a statement carried by the Sharjah-based Arabic language daily 'Al Khaleej'.

“This is a compulsory measure…they should do so before the end of the deadline on October 1 or they will have to pay delay fees.”

The statement said children who do not have separate passports would not be given an ID card, adding that applicants under that age need not come to Eida registration centres as applications can be submitted by their parents.

'Al Khaleej' said Adec’s decision applies only to public schools and the report did not mention whether such measure would be extended to other emirates.

Visa and Emirates ID to be link in Dubai from April 1

Plans to link the national identity card to visas will be enforced in Dubai on schedule on April 1 after it was implemented in all other emirates.

The Emirates National Identity Authority (EIDA), which is carrying out a nation-wide ID project, said applicants would not receive their cards before their residence visas are renewed or issued.

It said those applying for an ID and residence at the same time must first fill an application at an EIDA registration office before they are allowed to have blood test, which is a pre-requisite for have a visa issued or renewed.

“The link-up between the ID and residence visas is now almost complete after it was enforced in all emirates except in Dubai,” EIDA said in a statement carried by the Dubai-based Arabic language daily Emirat Alyoum.

“This link will be implemented in Dubai on April one in coordination with the residence and immigration department in the emirate.”

EIDA said the link-up, once completed, would allow its registration offices at preventive medicine departments to handle at least 22,000 applications a day.

EIDA’s fresh warning for card collection delay

The Emirates National Identity Authority (EIDA) has issued a new warning to applicants who miss the 90-day deadline to collect their national cards, saying the card will be destroyed and holders will be fined Dh300.

EIDA’s director general Ali Al Khoury said those who apply for a new card or renewal of their cards must collect them within three months after they receive the first notification by SMS on their mobile phone, adding that Emirates Post (Empost) normally send six notifications to card holders.

“Cards which are not collected within 90 days from the first notification will be destroyed but that does not mean the applicant’s data will be annulled…they will be retained by EIDA and in this case holders must apply for a replacement,” he told the Sharjah-based Arabic language daily Alkhaleej.

He said a replacement can be issued at registration offices or online by filling a new application for a fee of Dh300.

“We call on all applicants to collect their cards within 90 days from the first notification to avoid having their cards destroyed,” Khoury said.

He said EIDA, which is overseeing a landmark nation-wide ID project, has signed agreement with Empost to deliver cards to all applicants in their respective emirates. “Empost sends six SMS in English and Arabic to the mobile phones of the applicants asking them to come and collect their cards,” he said.

Khoury’s comments follow growing public complaints that cards end up at Empost centres located far from their areas. Others say that a 90-day deadline is not enough as they could be outside the UAE for more than three months.

“Last month, I had to take a day off work to travel nearly an hour outside Abu Dhabi to collect my card…I applied in Abu Dhabi city but Empost informed me my card is in Suweihan, which I have never visited,” Imad Hariri said.

In press remarks last week, EIDA said it is planning to replace the present delivery system with on-the-spot facility that allows holders to receive their renewed cards just after they apply at registration centres.

“Eida has gone a long way in addressing this problem,” Eida Ali Mohammed Al Khoury said after an Authority meeting on Tuesday.

“We are in the process of creating what is termed as decentralised typing centres…four such centres will be set up on a trial basis soon…they will allow applicants to receive their cards within minutes.”

medical examination for licence seekers who are 60 years and above

Roads and Transport Authority is planning to introduce medical examination for licence seekers who are 60 years and above. This includes even those who wish to renew their expired licence. The move aims to ensure drivers are healthy and free from illnesses, reported 'Emarat Al Youm'.

Ahmed Bahrouzyan, Executive Director of the Licensing Department, RTA, said: "RTA will undertake a comprehensive study to modify and develop procedures for obtaining driving licence in coordination with the Interior Ministry and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)."

RTA has not yet determined the age category where the new procedures will be applied, but in all probability it would cover those above 60 years, he added.

He said the body meets regularly with the Dubai Health Authority, to identify the types of medical examinations and age groups that should be subjected to tests as well as to identify chronic diseases that would aggrevate due to driving.

Bahrouzyan said the RTA seeks to implement best global practices in the service of security and safety on the roads.

He added the RTA is currently considering the application of a British study related to drivers of commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles to transport hazardous materials. It would later be submitted to the DHA to be discussed and modified to implement in the region.

The licencing department issued 33,142 licences in the first quarter of this year, he said and added that the success rate in obtaining driving licences witnessed a significant increase of 29 per cent.

RTA is seeking to develop its services to ensure the success of raising the proportion of applicants for driving licence by 35 per cent.

credit card surcharge ban from July 1-UAE gov.

Ministry of Economy has warned retailers in the UAE to stop charging fees on credit cards from July 1.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, headed the second meeting of the committee for 2011 which passed resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing charges on credit card usage as commission.

The committee also agreed on liberalising trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be sent to the cabinet for approval.

”This is strategic to reduce monopoly and exploitation, and will enhance market competitiveness,” said Al Mansoori.

The committee reviewed a report on the advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food.

The committee also reviewed a report on the status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets.

The committee discussed the Electronic System for Goods Monitoring which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2011. Currently, the ministry is undertaking a pilot phase with some commodities and the results will be generalised for other goods. The new system works through electronic links between the major trading centres and UAE customs ports, and can monitor the prices of 200 commodities on a daily basis.

The committee discussed a report on the increase of prices at gas stations and recommended to open channels of communication between the Ministry of Economy and all petrol stations with the participation of representatives from economic departments to identify the reasons for rise in price.

The committee was briefed on a proposal to reduce rental fees at retail outlets and cooperative societies. The committee recommended the distribution of marketing margins equally between retail outlets and consumers.

Eida to introduce online ID registration soon

Applicants seeking to register in the UAE national identity could fill the needed form at home and avoid standing in long queues at packed registration centres when authorities introduce an online service soon.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), which oversees the landmark ID project, said it was in the process of introducing such online service that will allow all applicants of filling the ID form, paying fees and getting an appointment for finger printing without having to go to registration centres.

“We are developing an electronic ID form so applicants themselves can fill it online without having to deal with registration centres…the form will be available online shortly,” EIDA director general Ali Alkhouri told Emarat Alyoum daily.

“Once this service is enforced, applicants will only have to fill the form online though EIDA’s website, upload all needed documents and pay fees online…they then can get an appointment for finger printing online.”

Khouri said existing authorized registration centres would remain in operation for those who do not wish to have their applications processed online.

He told the paper the online service would be introduced on a limited trial basis in September before it is fully enforced by the end of the year.

“This is a strategic move as the new service is expected to largely increase the rate of registration…applicants will be able to register online at their homes or offices without having to wait for long periods at registration centres.”

Khouri said the new service would cut fees paid by applicants by nearly 40 per cent as they will not be required to pay up to Dh70 in fees for registration.

Eida cancels thousands of ID applications

The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) last week cancelled 5,000 applications of candidates who missed their second consecutive registration appointment.

According to a news report in Gulf News, the application fee of such defaulters has been forfeited by the authority. “The cancellation of application means the entire pre-registration process has been cancelled; when they do the process again, definitely they have to pay the fee [again],” Dr Ali Al Khoury, Director General of Eida, has been quoted by the daily today.

According to the official, Eida gave the defaulters a second chance by rescheduling their appointment after applicants failed to turn up the first time. Those who missed the second appointment too will now have to go through the whole process once again, he said.

Al Khoury said the authority had to take strict action because many people fail to turn up for registration on appointment. “They waste their time and others’ too,” he said.

UAE ID card is must for all children

However, kids are not required to be present in person for the registration National Identity Cards for children under 15 years of age has been made mandatory.

The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) has confirmed that ID cards will henceforth be mandatory for children under 15, apart from them being registered in the population register, reported 'Gulf Today'.
Until now children only had to be registered in the population register. ID cards were not a necessity.
Eida will shortly restructure the procedures of registration in the population register and issuance of ID cards for kids at the designated typing centres.
However, children will not be required to be present in person for the registration, Eida added.
Documents required include: Valid passport; valid residency; coloured photograph with light blue background (size 3.5x4).
The registration fee will be Dh50, in addition to Dhs70 services charges, Eida said.

More than 60% of UAE employees want a new job

survey reveal 23% participants are very optimistic and believe this is the best time to be on the lookout Even though 2011 may not be a high growth year and a time when employers remain in command, more than half of employees in the UAE would like a new job.

According to an online poll run by a popular news paper, more than half of the workforce in the country has plans on looking for a new job. The survey reveals that 61 per cent of the employees in the country are looking to change their job.
According to the poll conducted over the past couple of weeks, almost a quarter (23 per cent) of participants are very optimistic on the job front and believe this is perhaps the best time to be the lookout for a new job. On the other hand, dissatisfaction runs high in more than a third (38 per cent) of the respondents, and they cite that as a reason of looking for better avenues. “I am unhappy with my current job,” they said in the online survey.
Despote this, ther are a those that prefer to sit on the sidelines for the moment as they are either happy in their current role, or fear jobs are still scarce in the market and that it isn't worth their while risking their current job to get a new one.
According to 16 per cent of the respondents, a job in the hand is too precious to risk whereas another 23 per cent said that they are happy in their current position.
Discontentment with salary stagnation seems to be high on the agenda of many people. “I’ve not got any hike for the past three years. There has been no bonus as well,” commented a respondent. High salary satisfaction in the UAE seems low in the current market scenario.
“The UAE recorded 3 per cent of respondents with high satisfaction, 50 per cent with medium and 47 per cent with low. Elsewhere in the Gulf and wider Middle East area, a peak of 5 per cent of professionals highly satisfied with their salaries was witnessed in Kuwait and a low of just 2 per cent of professionals highly satisfied in Jordan and Lebanon amongst other countries,” Lama Ataya, Chief Marketing Officer Bayt.com told this website, explaining the trends revealed in one of the jobs site's surveys.
According to a study by Gulf Talent, the UAE and the entire region at large is expected to grow this year, which may give hope to those looking for a change.
“Across the region, anecdotal evidence suggests slowly rising business confidence which should help accelerate economic activity and with it employment. Obtaining bank lending and collecting customer payments, however, remain two key challenges for many businesses, preventing a full‐scale recovery,” it said.

UAE not planning to cap residence visa, says Al Mansouri

Based on indicators in the first five months of 2011, the UAE gross domestic product is expected to grow between 3 to 3.5 per cent this year, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 21st meeting of GCC ministers for planning and development in Abu Dhabi, Al Mansouri said the GCC invitation for Jordan and Morocco to join the group would, if takes place, contribute to expanding the GCC Common Market and harnessing the huge human, investment and financial resources available in the eight countries.

“The UAE is not thinking of capping the residence of foreign workers in the UAE,” the minister emphasised, calling for creating a thorough advanced statistical system to provide accurate data on the demographic structure and workforce.

He disclosed that the ministry had prepared a list of commercial agencies that would allow traders to import goods from the origin producers directly without referring to the local agents.

The move, he added, aims at provision of commodities at local markets directly at lower prices in a bid to curb soaring prices.

He said the list would be submitted to the federal cabinet within few weeks for approval.

Saudi issues clarification on six-year expat visa limit

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday put an end to speculation that it is about to kick out all its expatriate workers after six years, clarifying that the decision applies to only those private sector firms that do not abide by the country’s job nationalization quotas.

A government official was reacting to statements on Monday by Saudi Labour Minister Adel Faqih, who said a new incentive programme for the private sector to recruit more Saudis includes limiting the stay of foreign workers to six years.

The minister said the programme would be implemented in June and would give four classifications to companies, including “excellent and green” for those who abide by Saudization quotas and “red and yellow” for non-compliant firms.

“What the Labor Minister meant by his statement was that the measure would be applied on those foreigners who work for companies in the yellow [non-compliant] category,” said Hattab Al-Anazi, official spokesman of the Labour Ministry.

Quoted by the Saudi Arab News daily, he said that companies in the yellow category that did not fulfil Saudization conditions should correct their status in order to get visas of their workers renewed.

He said visas for foreign workers in red category companies would not be renewed at all, irrespective of the years they have spent in the Kingdom.

“The new Nitaqat system allows renewal of iqamas (work visas) without any condition for expatriates who work in companies in the green and excellent category,” Al-Anazi said.

He noted that the new measure would not apply on house servants as their visas would be renewed without considering how many years they stayed in the country. “They are not at all linked with the Nitaqat system,” he said.

ID registration procedures online in 7 languages

Expatriates wondering about the procedures to register in the UAE national identity can now see them online in seven languages that involve the bulk of the country’s eight million people, according to the ID issuers.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) said it had just introduced these procedures on its website in Arabic, English, French, Persian, Chinese, Urdu and Hindi so all residents in the country can have access to them before heading for registration offices with the required documents.

“This move is within a number of new measures taken by the Authority to upgrade services and ensure that all residents are registered,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Maamari, marketing director in EIDA.

More than three million Emiratis and expatriates based in the UAE have been registered in the national identity, an ambitious project launched by the country a few years ago to create an accurate demographic data base.

EIDA had set a registration deadline at the end of June but it is expected to be extended again as millions others have not registered yet.

staff from Free zone can't move courts directly

Labour disputes in free zones should be first reported to the free zone authorities before moving the courts. In the event the free zone authority fails to reach a satisfactory settlement of the dispute, the case should then be referred to the Labour Court.

The Dubai Court of Cassation established the new legal principle while considering the appeal filed by an employee working in Jebel Ali Free Zone before the Labour Court to demanding his company pay him of Dh558,000 in dues.

The employee (plaintiff) said he had joined the company as Managing Director on Dh35,000 monthly salary. On his return from annual leave he was surprised to learn that a report of him having 'escaped' was issued by the company. He alleges the company took such a step to avoid paying him teh dues.

He said the dues include salary until the end of his contract which is about Dh345,000; compensation for unfair dismissal which is about Dh105,000; annual leave allowance Dh7,000 for the last two years; Dh73,000 as service bonus; and air ticket alowance Dh1,500.

The Court of First Instance refused to accept the case because he failed to present his complaint to Jebel Ali Free zone Authority first.

He then moved the Court of Appeal which again rejected the appeal and upheld the appellant.

But the employee was not satisfied with the verdict and moved the Court of Cassation which issued the new principles mentioned above.

The Court of Cassation said its ruling: “The legislator in the decree of establishing the authority of Jebel Ali Free Zone and its implementing regulations gave authority to the free zone of Jebel Ali (power and competence) to receive complaints and requests for workers and companies and institutions working in the geographical scope of the free zone of Jebel Ali of any legal disputes."

The court added also it has given the power to settle the dispute amicably, and in case the authority failed to reach a settlement, it is entitled to take the decision it deems appropriate, such as refer the case to the competent court.

UAE Central Bank issued regulations to streamline High service fees charged by banks

High service fees charged by banks and excessive lending practices are affected as part of a host of retail banking rules issued yesterday by the Central Bank.

The new rules cover personal and car loans, with limits capping the amount banks can lend to customers at 20 times their salary. They also set the period of loan repayment at 48 months.In addition, the rules restrict service fees lenders can impose for personal accounts, cheques and debit cards.

Some of the new fees for bank transactions are as follows:

For opening new account – none

If balance is less than the minimum “monthly” - Dh25

Non-arrival of salary - none

Closure of account (if closed within one year of opening) - Dh100

Lack of sufficient credit in the account - Dh25

Issuing certificate of account balance - Dh50

Issuing clearance certificate - Dh50

Non-moving accounts - no charges

Teller transactions at branch (6 transactions monthly free) - Dh10 for each additional transactions

For cash withdrawal or deposit - none

Postpone the payment of the loan – Dh100 for each time

Loan restructuring - Dh250

Bounced cheques - Dh100

Periodic statement of account - Dh25 outside period agreed on

Previously there was a Dh250,000 (US$68,066) ceiling on personal loans but few other limits on service fees. As a result, banks were able to extend huge loans to consumers.

"We have compared fees in the region and put them slightly above regional fees, but not as high as banks wanted," said Suwaidi.

Under the rules, banks will be limited to charging a maximum of Dh25 for replacing lost or stolen ATM cards.

Closing an account within a year of opening will cost customers no more than Dh100. The cost of issuing a chequebook will be capped at Dh30.

Fees for loans will also be regulated. Processing fees for personal loans will be capped at 1 per cent of the loan amount.

Penalties for early payment of a loan will also be curbed. Banks will not be allowed to charge more than 1 per cent of the remaining loan balance if a customer settles a loan early.Those not complying with the rules will face fines

UAE Central Bank has issued regulations to streamline personal loan -will be applied on the current loans

UAE Central Bank has issued regulations to streamline personal loan services of banks in the Emirates.

According to the Central Bank, the new regulations, effective May 1, 2011, will be applied on the current loans in terms of fees only. They will not be applied on current loans in terms of term and payment and the size of clients' salaries. Therefore, there is no need to modify the terms of current loans, reported 'Al Khaleej' newspaper.

The apex bank will review points proposed by a group of Islamic banks. For instance, their suggestion to replace the word 'interest' with 'profit' would be studied. The bank will then work on preparing appropriate terminology to be used in Islamic banks.

Regarding credit card fees the Central Bank confirmed that it is not included in these instructions and banks can follow their own policies.

The Central Bank emphasised that the fees specified in the instructions should be applied as is. They can be modified only after the banking association takes up the matter with the Central Bank.Similarly, pension loans must be equivalent to 30 per cent of client's salary at the time of retirement.

Service fees and commissions charged by banks should not exceed the figures specified by the Central Bank in its regulations. Any revision will be possible only after the Banking Association takes up the matter with the Central Bank.