The Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has said that payments for all e-clearances too will have to be made electronically from May 1.
All companies in Muscat governorate will have to follow the rule from this date. In other governorates, the rule will come into force from June 1.
Asila Mohammed al Kalbany, director of MoM’s Information Systems and Internet Application Department, said, “The reason for making this facility mandatory is to ensure easy availability of our services to the public from anywhere and also to reduce the workload at MoM offices.
“The e-payment facility is very easy to use. People will not have to travel miles and face long queue in our offices to make payments in cash for their work. As of now, this e-payment system is only for all work related to e-clearances.”
She said MoM is going paperless through such initiatives. “The payment can be done via debit or credit card on our website. Gradually, we will encourage companies to activate the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) facility in the ID cards of their representatives who will make the e-payment.” PKI gives the user a secured identity to conduct transactions. Having the PKI facility installed on an ID card, automatically provides for an ID and a password to avail the e-payment facility.
“We are doing things gradually in order to check the system and take feedback from users. We started it with all green card (grade 1) companies last year. It was optional then but made it mandatory after receiving positive feedback. “The biggest advantage is that the service will be available 24 hours. The payment can be made even after the ministry’s working hours,” she said.
Source: MuscatDaily