Expatriate workers may be subjected to skills evaluation.
GCC states plan skills certification for expats
RIYADH, November 30, 2014
GCC states have agreed to implement a skill assessment and certification project on expatriate workers, a report said.
The move is being planned by GCC labour ministers in coordination with leading workforce exporting countries such as India, Pakistan and the Philippines, added the Arab News report.
The UAE and Kuwait have set up the system on an experimental basis on construction and service workers by the private sector, noted the report, highlighting that other GCC countries would apply it in stages by the end of next year.
The minister will also establish a website to assess skills of workers recruited from the three Asian countries, the report said.
As per the new system, selected workers for different jobs would be given certificates to prove that they are qualified to do the work for which they are recruited, a source was quoted as saying in the report.
The tests would be conducted according to international standards, the source said, adding that global institutions such as World Bank and International Labour Organisation will take part in the implementation of the project.