Journalists, Nursers can change sponsors in the UAE

Jacob John

Dubai; Foreigners who are working as journalists, nurses and translators in the UAE are allowed to transfer their sponsorship and change jobs. Journalists who can transfer their sponsorship include those who hold senior positions like the editor in chief, news editor, editorial manager and junior positions like reporter, correspondent, news controller, news photographer and news graphic designer.

Large number of Indians, especially Malayalis are working in various newspapers in the Gulf region. These media organisations follow very conservative staff policy and in some countries journalists are not admitted to local press clubs, which are dominated by the Arab mediamen. Indian journalists also face discrimination in terms of salary and other facilities.

The UAE Government is trying to attract international media organisations to its newly started Media City as part of the Dubai Internet City. The UAE Government is also competing with a number of countries in the region to bring back some of the leading Arab satellite channels and newspapers which are currently operating from London, Paris and other places where there is more media freedom.

Nursing specialist, motherhood and childhood nursing specialist, surgical nursing specialist, specialist in public health nursing, and general nursing specialist are eligible to transfer their sponsorship. Large number of Malayali nurses will benefit from the new rule. Applicants from the above nursing category must have a university degree in the field of specialisation. Due to unfavourable working conditions and strict rules, many nurses have been going to the Western countries, especially the UK and USA. TheGovernments of various Gulf countries have imposed indirect methods to prevent ane exodus of nursing professionals to the more lucrative job markets. The current move on the UAE Government is part of the strategy to prevent trained nurses from leaving their jobs.

All journalists and translators who need to change their sponsor must have a university degree and worked with their former employers for at least two years. They should also obtain approval from the employer to transfer sponsorship. For being eligible to transfer sponsorship, expatriate employees must have a valid residence visa stamped in the passport. Recently, the UAE Government have introduced a number of norms to control expatriate workers in the country.(keralamonitor.com)