Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, has recently launched a special, remote controlled, smart drone to support the inspector's squad at the ministry during their field campaigns, especially for recording violations at construction sites during the midday break periods.
"Using the smart drone in inspectional campaigns assures MoL's adoption to best practices by using advanced technologies to commit to strategic plans by the U.A.E. Government, while meeting the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, to establish the smart government initiative," Ghobash said.
He stressed that the drone enjoys innovative mechanisms that increases efficiency rates of the inspectors, as it's considered an additional measure that serves in field operations to control and regulate the labour market, aside from strengthening the reputation of the U.A.E. in international forums based on major developments.
Ghobash praised the efforts made in processing the smart drone which confirms the national cadres creativity, innovation and excellence.
He was briefed, during the launching ceremony, about the mechanisms the drone enjoy, in the presence of Mubarak Al Dhaheri Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, Humaid bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affair, Maher Al Obed, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspectional Affairs and Saif Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Institutional and Support Services as well as a number of directors of various departments.
The idea was introduced by the Information Technology Department at the Ministry of Labour then was developed in partnership with a specialised technical students from the higher colleges of technology in Dubai, where they've worked closely to match all specifications and standards as required by the Ministry.
The drone covers around two square kilometres over a 15 to 20 minutes battery-life span (rechargeable), reaching altitudes up to one kilometres, the machine is controlled wirelessly with the possibility of setting up coordinates of the preferred location through its built-in navigation system. The HD camera installed on the frame conveys a clear and accurate vision of the targeted sites, which could be monitored on a live screen directly from the remote control.
"It is very accurate and definitely saves the inspectors' time and efforts, as it allows the team to monitor every movement from the screen attached on the remote control then note any violations by taking close pictures," the minister said.
The drone has proven its excellent operational mechanisms after applying a demo midday monitoring operation, which came to an end this September 15, the team documented irregularities by recording a video that views clear offenses then electronically issuing a fine against the establishment.
The inspections team at the ministry of labour is seeking to further develop the project and use the drone to conduct an electronic link between the labour monitoring systems and the recorded videos to directly issue fines on spot to save time and efforts.
In the meantime, both the inspections dept. and IT dept. are working closely to train the inspectors to perfect using the smart drones with high efficiency to monitor labour sites and record every movement via high-quality images and videos that state dates, time and location which could be used as clear evidence.
A team from the Ministry of Labour has recently visited China's Asia Expo Shanghai, to learn latest practices in the field of technology and operating specialised drones.