With just a day to go before the much-awaited labour reforms go live, the government has set up the Exit Permit Grievances Committee.

The committee is expected to redress complaints of expatriate workers whose employers deny them permission to leave the country.

The committee comprises representatives of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and ministries of Labour and Interior, reported Gulf Times.

Once the new labour law comes into effect on December 14, the existing Kafala system will be abolished and replaced with a contract-based employment system.

Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) Legal Affairs Department head Brigadier Salim Saqar Al Muraikhi will act as the committee’s chairman. He said the committee would be able to reach decisions within three days after submission of request.

In case an employer rejects application for leave, the affected party can make a request at the Grievances Committee currently located at the old Traffic Department office in Madinat Khalifa .

At the moment, applications for exit permits to the committee have to be submitted in writing. It is expected to go online soon.