UAE suspends new labour permits over coronavirus panic

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has suspended the issuing of all types of labour permits within the country until further notice due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus.

The ministry announced the suspension today in a statement, saying that the labour permits that it has suspended include those for domestic workers and drivers, and that it is going into effect from today “until further notice”.

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The move does, however, exempt permits that authorise the transfer of workers between corporations and companies as well as permits for the EXPO 2020, the long-awaited international business fair to be held in Dubai starting October this year.

It was also stated by the country’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship that those who hold diplomatic passports are part of the exemption list.

The Emirates’ decision to suspend labour visas comes at a time of increased measures being taken by the country and others in the region to tackle the pandemic throughout recent weeks. In the Gulf states, for example, schools and universities have closed, congregational prayers at mosques are no longer being held, and yesterday in Saudi Arabia private sector employees were ordered to take 15 days off in order to self-quarantine. International travel has also been banned by the UAE and its neighbours to many parts of the world.

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So far, there have allegedly been no deaths in the Emirates caused by the coronavirus, but there are currently at least 140 confirmed cases within the country. Around the world overall, there are almost 230,000 cases as of today, increasing at an alarming rate with many warning the pandemic may continue into the summer.

Cornavirus is affecting the world’s economy – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]