‘Good conduct’ certificate for workers will boost security

Strict new security checks that will require every expatriate to produce a document proving they have no criminal convictions will help to protect national security, the Federal National Council has heard.

All residents seeking a new work visa from February 4 will need to secure a certificate of good conduct and behaviour.

The committee managing the process said the checks were part of the Government’s efforts to create a more secure community.

In most cases the document would be obtained from a police force or government authority in the expatriate’s home country, or from the country in which they have lived for the past five years.

Police forces in the US supply documents stating the applicant has never been convicted of a crime and does not have a warrant out for their arrest.

In the UK, the national police chiefs’ council provides similar proof. The document is then attested by the UAE embassy in that country, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wam reported.

Marriage certificates and education qualifications are certified in the same way.

Sponsored family members and tourists do not have to present the certificate.

Long-term residents of the UAE seeking a new visa can apply to Dubai Police or Abu Dhabi Police for a certificate.

“I am very happy that this decree has come out and will come into action next month, because we want the quality of the workforce to add value to the country, not to burden the security forces and courts,” said Hamad Al Rahoumi, FNC member for Dubai.

Mr Al Rahoumi first raised the issue with the Labour Minister

last year. “We normally welcome everyone but not anyone with a problematic background.”

Mr Al Rahoumi referred to the case of Nedal Abdullah, 50, the Jordanian who was executed in November for kidnapping, raping and murdering eight-year-old Obaida Al Aqrabawi in May 2016.

After his arrest for a murder that shocked the nation, it emerged that he was wanted in Jordan for other crimes.

“If we had this procedure in place he would not have come here anyway and this case would not have occurred,” Mr Al Rahoumi said.

He said the checks would cover all expatriates, regardless of job type or salary.

“Just like we conduct a medical test for everyone, this is even more important to be applied to all,” Mr Al Rahoumi said. “I don’t see any inconvenience in that.”

Milos Perisic, the Serbian ambassador to the UAE, said the request from his compatriots for certificates had become relatively common.

There are two types of certificates issued from the Serbian authorities – one from the court confirming that the person has not been convicted, and another from the police confirming that there has been no arrest warrant issued against them.

Mr Perisic said the process took about one month.

Kapil Raj, second secretary at the Indian embassy, said the process would probably make recruitment slower but was unlikely to deter people.

“Nobody would like to miss a good opportunity in career advancement just for a piece of paper,” Mr Raj said.