The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has made remarkable strides in advancing the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, a transformative initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
This program is designed to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and flexibility of government processes, thereby improving overall government performance and aligning with the aspirations of customers, all while reinforcing the UAE’s competitive edge and pioneering role.
Streamlining services for faster processing
The Ministry revealed that it will streamline procedures, requirements, and conditions for numerous services, cutting processing times down to mere minutes rather than days and achieving reductions of up to one hundred percent.
This significant progress is rooted in a comprehensive vision focused on the customer experience, bolstered by essential enablers such as a commitment to customer-centric institutions, collaboration with individuals, the private sector, and government bodies in service design; fostering integration among entities; empowering and motivating the workforce; and initiating various digital transformation projects aimed at enhancing client satisfaction and alleviating unnecessary burdens.
Strategic measures implemented by MoHRE
Khalil Ibrahim Al Khoori, MoHRE’s undersecretary for Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations, emphasized that the Ministry has implemented strategic measures to fulfill the primary goals of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. Notably, this includes enhancing the Ministry’s organizational efficiency through the migration of all systems and services to the Federal Network (FEDnet) cloud infrastructure managed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.
Smart Inspection System development
Additionally, the Ministry has developed the Smart Inspection System, which actively monitors risks to the stability of the labour market, categorizes establishments based on their risk levels, and prioritizes inspections for those deemed high-risk.
Collaborative service development
In accordance with government directives to simplify procedures and achieve Zero Government Bureaucracy, a variety of labour market services have been developed, organized into three main packages. These services are delivered in collaboration with key strategic partners, aiming to meet client expectations, provide seamless access to services, and reduce burdens.
Introduction of the Work Bundle
Among the standout offerings is the Work Bundle, which presents a suite of essential services that allow private-sector companies and individuals to complete all necessary work and residency processes in the UAE through the unified ‘Work in UAE’ digital platform.
Partnerships for enhanced service delivery
MoHRE introduced this Bundle in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, Emirates Health Services (EHS), the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi.
Significant reductions achieved
This initiative has successfully streamlined the relevant procedures by seventy-two percent, reduced the number of required fields by ninety-three percent, cut down required documents by seventy-nine percent, and decreased visits by seventy-seven percent, resulting in an eighty-three percent reduction in processing time.
Development of digital platforms
Moreover, the Ministry has developed the ‘Invest in Dubai’ and ‘Dubai Now’ platforms in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security; Digital Dubai; Dubai Health Authority; and the Department of Economy and Tourism. These platforms enhance labour services for establishments, including the hiring of new employees, as well as the renewal and cancellation of residencies.
Additional reductions through new platforms
The platforms achieved a seventy-five percent reduction in procedures, an eighty-two percent decrease in required fields, a seventy-eight percent cut in documents, a forty percent reduction in visits, and an eighty-three percent decline in processing time.
Services for domestic workers
Both platforms have also been extended to include services for domestic workers, such as issuing, renewing, and cancelling residencies. This expansion resulted in a seventy-seven percent reduction in procedures, a seventy-nine percent decrease in required fields, a seventy-one percent cut in documents, a sixty-three percent decrease in visits, and an eighty-three percent reduction in processing time.
‘Investor Journey – Abu Dhabi’ package
Additionally, the ‘Investor Journey – Abu Dhabi’ package, launched in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security; TDRA; the Department of Economic Development; and the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, achieved a remarkable one hundred percent reduction in procedures, data fields, and documents for establishment registration services.
Refinement of core services
Al Khoori noted that the Ministry has refined all its core services, reducing the number of required fields through integration with relevant entities and cutting down necessary documents by up to seventy-six percent. He also mentioned that service completion has been automated and made instantaneous through AI technologies, decreasing transaction processing times to a maximum of one business day.
Innovative offerings and new services
MoHRE’s innovative offerings encompass the issuance of work permits for both establishments and domestic workers, the renewal of employment contracts, the cancellation of work permits or contracts, and the handling of labour complaints. New services have also been introduced, such as the Electronic Authorisation service, which is complimentary for customers and can now be completed in just two minutes instead of three days.
Streamlined processes for electronic authorisation
The number of documents and in-person visits required for this service has been reduced by one hundred percent, while the number of required fields has been decreased by ninety-seven percent and the procedures have been streamlined by eighty percent.
Automated services for work permit renewals
Moreover, an automated service has been implemented for rectifying the status of violators when renewing work permits with their current employers, leading to a one hundred percent reduction in the number of required visits, a ninety-three percent decrease in fields, and a fifty percent cut in both procedures and required documents.
Quick issuance of job experience certificates
The Ministry has also developed a service for issuing job experience certificates, which can now be requested in under two minutes.
Elimination of in-person visits
The electronic integration and data alignment between MoHRE and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security have eliminated the need for in-person visits that were once necessary for work permit renewals. This service is now available through the smart application, with processing times reduced from two days to automatic approval and the elimination of all four previously required documents.
Integrated service system for UAE citizens
In partnership with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) and the General Pension and Social Security Authority, MoHRE has established an integrated service system for issuing, renewing, and cancelling work permits for UAE citizens.
National program for economic incentives
Furthermore, the Ministry has introduced the National Programme for Incentivising Establishments in Priority Economic Sectors, which aligns with the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme and other government initiatives by enhancing MoHRE’s operational efficiency and reducing unnecessary costs.
Achievements in service automation
This program has achieved a one hundred percent reduction in procedures, fields, and documents required to access services, which are now proactive and automated, requiring no human intervention. This transformation has minimized human effort and reduced the number of employees needed to review and approve transactions by sixty-three percent.
Focus on data integration
Al Khoori explained that the Ministry has focused on integrating labour market data to further its achievements in eradicating bureaucracy. This integration allows for the automatic processing of labour contract renewal and work permit cancellation requests as soon as the Authority’s requirements are met, bringing the number of required in-person visits down to zero and fully aligning data across regulatory bodies.
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