The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) released official figures stating that from January 12 to March 3 this year, 18,775 expats lost their work permits, among them 11,610 work permits were cancelled due to the loss of residency visas as they were stranded outside the country, and 5864 work permits were cancelled prior to their final departure from the country, 865 cancelled their work permits as the worker died, and 436 cancelled their work permits, which were transferred to family visas, Al Rai daily reported.
Since the launch of PAM’s online services, the number of work permits renewed for expat workers during that period rose to 1,45,074, while 96 work permits were cancelled as the person shifted to the government sector. The total number of online service transactions conducted by PAM during the aforementioned period reached 326,000 divided among the 61 different services.
According to PAM, 596 work permits were issued after they obtained cabinet approval for the recruitment of expats from abroad, and other 204 work visas. Meanwhile, 60 transfer work permits were issued from the government sector, 323 transfer work permits from family visas, 60 work permits from the government sector, issuance of 93 work permits transferring from an entry visa, and issuance of 77 work permits.
PAM also approved 15,752 university degrees for workers residing in the country through the online system, and also cancelled 167 files of business owners and 978 licences registered on files, and transferred 96 workers to the government sector, Al Qabas reported.