The UAE’s Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) have agreed for the EIDA to have access to the MoL’s database to integrate labour cards with national identity cards.

Following the agreement, an estimated 3.1 million workers will be issued with identity cards. According to reports in Gulf News, integration of the ID cards with the Ministry of Interior has already taken place, enabling UAE citizens to use them when travelling to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The cards are also being integrated with E-Dirham services so they can be used as eWallets. In addition, they will include integrated eGate facilities, providing fast-track immigration clearance based on fingerprints.

The cards will eventually be used for a wide range of applications, such as a labour card, a driving licence, to access health facilities, for travel to GCC countries and for ePayments.

Expatriate employees in the government sector must register for the new card by October, while UAE citizens have until the end of the year.