Dubai: Reports say that workers having expired work permits in the UAE now have the freedom to get a new work permit and mark their swing to a different employer. Amidst this process, they are NOT required to have permission from their sponsors. Immigration experts believe that this step would benefit the Indian employees working in the UAE in a major way.

In accordance with the UAE Labour Minister Saqr Gobash, the amendments with regard to the new work permit of the employee and his switch over of the sponsorship would come into effect from 1st January 2011 onwards.

According to the new resolution, the worker would be given his new permit only after the end of his employment relationship which is shared by his employer without contemplation of the legitimate six month time that is generally considered after the termination of the employee’s labor card, but specifies two mandatory conditions.

Once implemented, the new regulations would substitute all the present regulations and procedures linked with the shift of sponsorship for expatriate workers. According to statistics, at present more than 1.75 million population from India is working in the UAE, making it the biggest expatriate group in the nation. Certainly the new regulations would assist Indian population in a major way.

Gobash went on to say that the motto behind the implementation of these regulations is to maintain a balance and harmony between employee-employer contractual relationship. In addition to this, the rules would impart broader flexibility in the employment arena.

Amongst the conditions, it is essential that both sides should end the relationship on a cordial manner and the employee should have been employed with the employer for a minimum of two tears.