Gulf News

Dubai, July 17: A mechanism to check that salaries stated in contracts are equivalent to the actual amount received by workers is to be introduced, said Dr Ali Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour.

The move is to prevent family residence visas being issued to low-income workers.

The ministry is to introduce the system with the cooperation of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).

According to the new system the amount of salary in the contract and changes in it will only be approved by the ministry if the applicant can provide bank statements as evidence.

Dr Al Ka'abi said the mechanism is to ensure that people applying for visas are stating their real salaries.

The minimum wage for people wishing to bring their family members to the UAE is Dh4,000 if the employer does not provide accommodation and Dh3,000 if accommodation is provided.

Many companies raise the amount of salary stated in the contract to enable their employees to bring their families over, but this has resulted in low-income people being financially overburdened, said Dr Al Ka'abi.

Aggravating problems

"The exaggerated salaries stated in contracts in order to get family members to the UAE are aggravating the problems that many expatriates face in supporting their families, providing appropriate housing and education for their children. They face problems in providing," said Dr Al Ka'abi.

Rashid Bakhit, Deputy Director of DNRD, said the Ministry of Labour was responsible for checking the content of contracts.

"However, before issuing the visa we check the authenticity of the contract," he added.

A ministry administrator also told Gulf News that a new mechanism needed to be implemented to monitor the accreditation of contracts.

"Some of the salaries stated in contracts are unrealistic, for example I once got a contract for a shopkeeper that stated a salary of Dh8,000."