Abu Dhabi, Aug 17 (IANS): Many Indian businessmen in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were frustrated after an eMigrate software malfunction caused problems in completing immigration formalities, the media reported on Monday.
They were left annoyed with the glitches in the eMigrate system and the Indian government's lackadaisical response to the immigration issue. The businessmen have to pay hefty charges as the visas of many employees have expired, Khaleej Times reported.
In June, the Indian government launched a new online recruitment system -- eMigrate system -- to smoothen and streamline the recruitment of Indian workers in Gulf countries.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the system had technical glitches and not a single company in the UAE has been able to recruit Indian workers since the launch of the system.
The Indian government made it mandatory for workers, requiring immigration clearance from India, to register through the website of the system and get approvals from the Indian mission and other authorities.
Al Ain-based Indian contractor John Cherian said the visas he had acquired for two workers have expired because of the delays.
"I have travelled to the Indian embassy five times to try to resolve the immigration issue," Cherian said.
"They promised to complete the process but they could not due to failure of the new system. I have lost more than 5,000 dirhams ($1,360), as immigration and labour department fees are non-refundable," he added.
"I have contacted the Indian embassy by telephone and in person several times. But the result is negative. The new system is not working at all," another Indian Samkutty Chacko, who runs a small technical shop, said.
"I have lost about 6,000 dirhams ($1,630) and lost quota approval from the ministry of labour for two employees. For a small business person like me, it is a considerable loss," he noted.
Earlier this week, Indian missions requested the Indian government to suspend the system, after glitches in the software put the placement of thousands Indian labourers in the UAE at risk.
But no details have been received about the action taken by the Indian government.