The instant messaging, voice and video call features, business communication tools, file sharing capabilities have collectively enhanced lives of residents in the emirates.
WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, has revolutionised how we communicate with friends and family. But this app is no longer limited to getting in touch with close contacts. Public and private entities in the UAE have understood the core functionality of this instant messaging facility, allowing users to communicate with others in real time.
Its instant messaging, voice and video call features, group chats, business communication tools, location sharing, and file sharing capabilities have collectively enhanced the lives of people in the UAE, enabling them to stay connected, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly.
Whether paying for a parking ticket, issuing a birth certificate or reporting a crime, there are at least ten UAE government services that residents and citizens can avail of through WhatsApp.
Talk to Sharjah Municipality directly
Residents and citizens in Sharjah can directly communicate with the city’s Municipality director general through WhatsApp. The authority recently launched this service, allowing residents to share their feedback, complaints, or suggestions if they encounter difficulties using other communication channels. The Director General can be contacted on WhatsApp through this number: 0501617777.
Get birth certificate issued
UAE nationals and residents can get their children’s birth certificates issued via WhatsApp service. In 2022, MoHAP said that parents can use its dedicated WhatsApp number: +97142301221, to obtain a birth certificate. However, babies born recently in the MoHAP-run hospitals are eligible for this service.
The service uses artificial intelligence to respond to customer enquiries through a virtual assistant and is end-to-end encrypted within an authenticated WhatsApp account.
It costs Dh65 to issue the document and must have an Arabic copy, according to the ministry. English copies are also available upon request. You can either choose to get the papers delivered with an additional fee or picking it up at a MoHAP public health centre. The certificate should arrive within two working days.
Pay parking fees
Motorists in Dubai can pay for parking tickets through popular mobile app WhatsApp, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on its website.
Drivers can send a WhatsApp to RTA’s Chatbot Mahboub on +971 58 8009090 to pay for parking instead of SMS payments.
How it works:
- Plate number (space) zone number (space) duration
- It should look something like this: A00000 000A 2
- The parking ticket cost will be deducted from the digital wallet of the motorists.
Pay utility bills
Dubai residents have the convenience of using WhatsApp to pay their utility bills and monitor their water and power usage. The Dubai Energy and Water Authority (Dewa) introduced the Dewa WhatsApp service in 2019, enabling customers to engage with the authority 24/7, for assistance with electricity and water-related queries.
Through the WhatsApp number +9714 6019999, customers can easily pay their utility bills by following simple instructions provided within the chat interface. Furthermore, the service allows customers to monitor their water and power usage.
By accessing the DEWA WhatsApp service, residents can receive real-time updates on their consumption, helping them track their usage patterns and make informed decisions regarding their energy consumption.
Here are the services available on Dewa’s WhatsApp account:
- Supply management
- Billing
- Smart response
- Track services requests
- Consumption management
- Bill payment
- Methods of payment
- Pay for a friend
- Auto pay
- Refund service
- Billing transaction history
- Slab tariff
- Tariff calculator
Contact MoHRE for any queries or complaints
Residents can contact UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) department through WhatsApp to submit any queries or complaints. The service is available in English and Arabic, and customers can reach the ministry via the number 600590000.
The new channel offers employers, employees and domestic helpers to contact the MoHRE around the clock. The services that residents can avail are:
- Get the establishment’s account statement (especially those related to employers). The customer will be identified via the Emirates ID number by sending an authentication code to the number registered in the Ministry before sharing the statement to maintain confidentiality
- File a complaint or register a suggestion
- Request technical support
- Customer data is requested one time only
- Unemployment Insurance Law, the new Domestic Helpers Law & the update on the contract duration clause of the Labour Relations Law are now uploaded
Source: Khaleej Times
