Work card
Encyclopedia
A work card is like an Identity Card which verifies that a person has been given work, or is eligible to perform work in a given profession or jurisdiction. The work card is not a work visa
, although it may be used in conjunction with a work visa, permanent resident card
or other documentation.
Work cards are often used in countries with high unemployment
to certify that the individual meets certain legal requirements (such as head of household, or with dependent children) making him or her eligible for work.
Work cards are also used in certain industries like construction
(where specialized training and safety skills are required) or gambling
(where background and credit checks are required to reduce the incidence of crime).
Work cards are used in some employment situations, such as prostitution
, so that government officials may track the number of workers in a given industry. Frequent renewal of work cards may also be required to ensure that workers undergo regular health check-ups, or to gather information on working conditions or the incident of crime (such as assault against the prostitute, or a prostitute's criminal background).
Work cards are increasingly used in the European Union
(EU) to verify an individual's citizenship in a member-nation, and the kind of work which that individual may engage in. For example, citizens of states with provisional membership in the EU must obtain both an EU work card and a work card from nation in which they wish to work.
In cases where a union has won the closed shop
, a work card may be issued by a trade union
. The work card will permit the non-union worker to work in the industry or for the employer with union permission.
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
, although it may be used in conjunction with a work visa, permanent resident card
United States Permanent Resident Card
United States lawful permanent residency refers to a person's immigration status: the person is authorized to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis....
or other documentation.
Work cards are often used in countries with high unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
to certify that the individual meets certain legal requirements (such as head of household, or with dependent children) making him or her eligible for work.
Work cards are also used in certain industries like construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
(where specialized training and safety skills are required) or gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
(where background and credit checks are required to reduce the incidence of crime).
Work cards are used in some employment situations, such as prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, so that government officials may track the number of workers in a given industry. Frequent renewal of work cards may also be required to ensure that workers undergo regular health check-ups, or to gather information on working conditions or the incident of crime (such as assault against the prostitute, or a prostitute's criminal background).
Work cards are increasingly used in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(EU) to verify an individual's citizenship in a member-nation, and the kind of work which that individual may engage in. For example, citizens of states with provisional membership in the EU must obtain both an EU work card and a work card from nation in which they wish to work.
In cases where a union has won the closed shop
Closed shop
A closed shop is a form of union security agreement under which the employer agrees to hire union members only, and employees must remain members of the union at all times in order to remain employed....
, a work card may be issued by a trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
. The work card will permit the non-union worker to work in the industry or for the employer with union permission.