NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
Tougher residency law before deadline ends
ABU DHABI — JUN 05: The Ministry of Justice is considering a new draft law carrying stern rules and heavy fines against people who shelter illegal immigrants or hire absconding workers, Minister of Justice Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Daheri said.
The minister was reacting to the decision taken by the Cabinet at its meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, giving three months to all foreigners residing illegally in the country to regularise their status or leave the country without any penalty.
Under the proposed draft law, any person found to have been sheltering or employing absconding workers or illegal immigrants will be fined Dh10,000 per worker.
The jail term could be doubled for those found hiring absconding workers without legal reasons and workers who breach the Residency Law, he warned.
The draft law is scheduled to come into force before the lapse of the three-month amnesty period, the minister said.
Al Daheri praised the decisions of the Cabinet describing them as humanitarian and civilised, for they provide full opportunity to each and every illegal worker to rectify and regularise his/her legal status, or leave the country without being penalised. “The 90-day amnesty period is sufficient and after its expiry the penalty will be doubled against illegal workers or those who shelter them,” he said.
He called on all ministers to cooperate in ensuring the implementation of the new mechanism with the aim of eliminating the problem of illegal workforce. “The presence of such illegal workers causes several problems, and the new law will help solve the problem,” he added.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Foreign missions in UAE get cracking
ABU DHABI/DUBAI — JUN 05: The diplomatic missions of countries from which the UAE derives a large workforce got down to working on the logistics in order to handle a possible rush of illegal workers seeking to benefit from the three-month amnesty which took effect yesterday.
Several missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have urged social and community organisations to assist them in the processes involved in the amnesty over the next three months.
Though the amnesty news spread like wildfire yesterday, some of the mission heads said they were waiting for details from relevant ministries about the formalities involved in facilitation of assistance to amnesty seekers. Pakistan Ambassador to UAE Ahsan Ullah Khan said the chancery section of the embassy would post extra staff to handle the expected rush. “Community leaders visited me yesterday and offered their cooperation,” he added. Pakistan Consul-General in Dubai Chowdhury Abdul Hameed highlighted the preparedness of the mission to meet the rush of illegal workers at the consulate premises.
When asked if he could quote an estimated number of illegal Pakistanis residing in the country, he said: “No one has ever come forward to claim, especially to the consulate, saying that he is an illegal. Therefore, at this moment, it is difficult
to come out with exact numbers.” India’s Acting Consul-General in Dubai R.C. Nair stated that the consulate will set up a cell for accepting applications for ‘out passes’.
B.S. Mubarak, spokesperson of the Indian Consulate, said: “Meetings are on with the Immigration officials. All the doubts would be cleared within a week.”
“We will take appropriate measures according to UAE laws. If any employer contacts us regarding his illegal employees we will provide him possible support in preparing the relevant documents as per the law,” said Indian Embassy’s First Secretary S.K. Nangia.
Bangladeshi Ambassador to UAE Nazimullah Chowdhury said his mission had already received a number of enquiries. He said the embassy will mobilise the community organisations to disseminate information concerning amnesty.
Bangladeshi Vice-Consul in Dubai Rais Hassan stated that talks were being held with the embassy officials in Abu Dhabi about the steps that need to be taken. “The number of Bangladeshi nationals living illegally is not much. Today, not many people turned up. But in the event of a rush, we would open a separate cell to cater to their needs,” he said.
Philippines Ambassador to UAE Libran N. Cabactulan, said the embassy was encouraging people to come out and benefit from the amnesty which is with good intentions.
Philippines Consul-General in Dubai Antonio S. Curameng a meeting of officials of the PCG, the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to discuss arrangements has been called.
“Once we have received the official communication from the UAE authorities, we will begin the dissemination of information within the Filipino community. A meeting will also be held with the POLO-OWWA so we can draft the necessary guidelines,” Curameng said.
Nepalese Charge D’affaires in Abu Dhabi Mohan Krishna Shrestha, said: “This is a welcome move of the UAE government. We will disseminate this announcement with the help of our responsible Nepalese social workers in the emirates and put a message on the Internet, too. This is a safe and hassle-free chance for illegals to go back home.”
Meanwhile, the Non-Resident Nepali Association has requested illegal Nepali residents in Dubai to come forward and regularise their status. The president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, UAE Chapter, Chandra Prasad Sapkota, said: “We encourage illegal Nepali residents to regularise as we don’t want them to remain illegal.
“We do not want them to be afraid as they will not be penalised or jailed. If they just bring their identity cards, we will help them out.”
The association also plans to distribute pamphlets in labour camps explaining the amnesty in Nepalese so that the community can understand the implications of the Cabinet decision.
Officially, more than 80,000 people from Nepal live in the UAE.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to UAE Mohamed Nabavi Junaid said: “We will begin to work out the conditions after obtaining a written circular from the UAE Cabinet. Then we will chalk out how to repatriate the illegals in accordance with the law.
“Many Sri Lankans are stranded in the UAE due to loss of passports or other reasons. So this is a commendable move of the UAE government.”
Somali Ambassador to UAE Hussein Mohammed Bullale said despite the ravaging civil war in his country, his embassy will, by all means encourage illegal Somali residents to benefit from the amnesty.
“The amnesty is a wonderful and kind gesture of the UAE government to allow illegals leave the country without incurring heavy fines or other punishments.
“Despite difficult conditions at home, we advise Somali residents to take advantage of the grace period and leave the country,” he said.
According to Mohammed Gedi, First Secretary and Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Somalia said: “Somali residents in the UAE whose passports have expired can apply for their new passports in Sharjah centre.”
Mohammed El Dhaie, Information Attache at the Sudanese Embassy, confirmed the embassy’s readiness to take all measures to help Sudanese nationals to take advantage of the amnesty.
“Priority, including travelling arrangements, will be given to this category. The embassy is even ready to provide air tickets to residents who are needy,” said El Dhaie.
Mohammed Al Amin, Sudanese Deputy Consul-General, awaiting an official communication, said: “Not a large number of Sudanese nationals are staying illegally in the country, but we are cooperating with the Sudanese community’s charity fund and Sudan Airways to provide the best services for the illegals.”
He also said that from next week, the consulate will send its team to all the emirates to provide consular services to Sudanese nationals in order to reduce the rush at the consulate and to save people’s time and efforts.
Egyptian Ambassador to UAE Mohamed Saad Obaid said the Cabinet’s decision is a wise decision which is part of a series of actions being implemented by the UAE government to organise the labour market in the country.
Eritrean Consul-General Yohanis Teccemmicheal said the mission would display information on the notice board to make the people aware. “Most housemaids may not be aware about the amnesty. So the consulate is making efforts to inform as many and will also advise them to go back home instead of staying here illegally,” he added.
KHALEEJ TIMES
DNRD offers special facility
DUBAI — JUN 05: The implementation of amnesty process will involve series of meetings and concerted efforts by the Immigration officials, various ministries and foreign missions, a senior DNRD official said.
“A special facility will be set up to accommodate amnesty-seekers at the Follow-up and Investigation Section at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department,” said DNRD Director Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri.
“We are going to be in close coordination and cooperation with officials from the Ministry of Labour and other authorities concerned to discuss the arrangements and procedures of implementation of the decision,” he said.
He also said that before processing applications of people who are illegally present in the country, “we have to first set and agree upon the proper mechanism of implementation.”
“We will be receiving various kinds of applications, including those of absconders. So we will be processing them and, when necessary, refer them to the Follow-up and Investigation Section. This section will soon open a big air-conditioned hall to accommodate about 250 people,” he explained.
He also said the department will work from 7.30am to 9.00pm in two shifts. “This step is being taken to contain the rush, streamline the system, process as many applications as possible and spare the applicants’ time and efforts,” added Brig Al Marri.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Amnesty seekers confused
DUBAI — JUN 05: Following the amnesty announcement, a large number of Indians thronged the Indian consulate-general in Dubai yesterday, unmindful of the blazing sun.
While hailing the UAE government’s decision to ease the sufferings of those who had been living illegally in the country, several amnesty seekers or their well-wishers said they were confused about the formalities involved in applying for amnesty.
As Velu Karmappan said, “This is a breather for us. My visa has expired and the company in which I worked had closed down. Now I can go to my place and meet my family. I have come here in order to know more about this fresh decision. There are several things, which we could not understand. Nevertheless, We thank the government for this.”
Murugan, who has been working illegally in Dubai for two years, said, “I have been thinking about leaving the country for months. But I did not have money to pay the fines. I was so happy to hear about the amnesty and I came in the morning itself to the Indian consulate to avail of this offer.”
“But the officials I met could not give me any details,” said Murugan adding, “if possible, I would leave for India as early as possible.”
Munaf Ahmed, another illegal worker, complained that already private typing agents floating around the consulate premises had started to fleece amnesty seekers offering to type their documents, when no such official documents or forms were being distributed by the mission. He urged amnesty seekers to be wary of such people.
A number of illegal workers who plan to leave the country have voiced concern over the availability of air tickets and steep fares because the next few months going to be peak season for the airlines.
Jamaludheen, a worker, who went to the consulate yesterday, said “I have checked the availability of air tickets in the morning soon after reading the news about amnesty. It was shocking that only few seats are available for July and they are asking a big amount which I cannot afford.”
Senior officials of the Indian consulate stated that they were working out the details with the Immigration officials.
They said they have requested the Immigration officials to furnish a list of Indians whose passports are lying with the Immigration departments. There were at least 15,000 Indian passports which are presently lying with the Immigration, the official noted.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Airlines gear up for ‘amnesty rush’
DUBAI — JUN 05: After the UAE government’s announcement of three-month amnesty for illegal residents, airlines are gearing up to meet the possible rush on outbound flights from Dubai.
Sources in the aviation industry, however, said they would take time to assess the situation before taking any decision. “It’s too early to tell whether there will be a huge demand for seats. But we are constantly monitoring the situation and will decide according to the market demand,” said an official from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
During the last general amnesty in UAE from January 1 to June 30, 2003, nearly 100,000 illegal residents had benefited.
This year, the amnesty is coinciding with the airline industry’s peak season, specially for outbound flights. But considering the number of airlines currently operating in UAE’s, airline sources are confident that the possible rush will not pose much of a problem for travellers.
Jaishree Ramachandran, Air India’s Regional Manager-Dubai and Northern Emirates, said that considering the formalities associated with amnesty applications, it can be assumed that most of the illegal residents will travel by the middle of July.
“I believe the traffic won’t pick up immediately until after a month or so. In the UAE, the super peak season has been set from June 28 to July 15. After that, there will be enough seats available and even the fares will be cheaper,” she stated.
Ramachandran added that Air India Express will start nine extra flights this summer. “We will consider organising other arrangements when the need arises,” she said.
Another source, who requested anonymity, said the number of airlines operating in the UAE is enough to accommodate a possible rush. “The airline industry now is not the same as it was four years ago.
KHALEEJ TIMES
No cyclone warning for UAE
DUBAI — JUNE 05: The Meteorological office in Dubai yesterday said the UAE would not be affected by a cyclonic storm approaching the Arabian Peninsula, but the Sultanate of Oman has put its army and police on high alert. According to Met office, no cyclone alert has been issued in UAE.
The Met office report said the storm is heading northwest and could strike either the southeastern coast of Oman, or Pakistan.
The super cyclonic storm Gonu is expected to weaken before reaching the land. The forecaster said the cyclone will, however, result in some rains and windy conditions in the UAE.
KHALEEJ TIMES
RTA begins sale of Salik toll tags
DUBAI — JUN 05: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) yesterday started selling Salik toll system tags at 287 outlets in Dubai, including 180 Emarat petrol stations, 70 Eppco/Enoc stations, and 37 branches of Dubai Islamic Bank.
Motorists who will use Shaikh Zayed Road where the toll gates are located at Garhoud Bridge and near the Mall of the Emirates, must apply for and buy the Salik welcome kit containing the Salik windshield tag from these outlets.
The welcome kit costs Dh100 but only Dh50 will be charged as fees to open the account and the rest will be counted as credit. Applicants are required to furnish a copy of their car registration cards to buy a tag.
The welcome kit has instructions on how to install the tag on the windshield of the car and how the system works. When the system is officially activated on July 1, it will deduct Dh4 from the sensor cards every time one drives through the city’s electronic gates, explained Eng. Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA.
She also said that the RTA was educating the public on the toll system through its public campaign and had made available a dedicated toll free call centre (800-72545) and website, www.salik.ae.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Now, students over 15 can work
ABU DHABI — JUN 05: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) will allow students above the age of 15 and people residing in the country on sponsorships of their parents or relatives to seek employment, according to Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi.
“According to the Cabinet decision taken on Sunday, we want to protect labourers’ rights and give a chance to workers to work in the country legally. Hence, we will allow students above 15 years to enter the labour market,” Dr Al Kaabi told Khaleej Times.
The international labour law and human rights charters stipulate that children should not work in heavy duty environment, such as construction sites.
The minister said: “Students can take up light jobs such as in cafes, restaurants and hotels during holidays.”
“The government is always keen to abide by the international labour standards and the human rights charters following directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” he added.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Leading dairy company hikes prices
ABU DHABI — JUN 05: A leading dairy company has announced a hike in the prices of milk, dairy products and canned juices. The new prices come into effect from today.
Prices of some of these items have shot up by as much as 15 per cent.
Al Rawabi Dairy Co. yesterday issued a circular to the retail outlets across the country, informing them of the new price structure applicable from Tuesday.
Market sources estimated that with Al Rawabi hiking the prices, the other market players would follow suit. The company has cited the rise in cost of raw materials, packaging materials and transportation cost as the reason behind its latest price hike.
“As you are aware, the hike in prices of almost all commodities worldwide has become a normal practice and Al Rawabi is not an exception,” said the company circular, received by a retail outlet.
The circular added: “Although we are hesitant to implement this change, under this condition, we have no option but to bring the price in line with the company’s policy in order to serve better our consumers.”
The price of one gallon of milk has risen to Dh19 from Dh16; the price of 1 litre of laban has been hiked to Dh5.50 from Dh5; the price of 1 kg of yoghurt will now be Dh5.75 instead of the previous of Dh5.
As for the juices, the price of a 3-litre orange container has been hiked to Dh11.75 from Dh10.50, while a 1-litre container will now cost Dh4.50 compared to the previous Dh4.
The Ministry of Economy had earlier rejected the proposition of Nestle company to increase the price of Nido milk product for having no reasons behind the proposed increase, according to an official from the ministry’s Consumer Protection Department.
Also, the Nestle company had recently proposed to hike the milk price by 15 per cent.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Abu Dhabi - Passengers guilty
Abu Dhabi - Jun 05: Two Australians charged with sexual harassment on an Etihad flight are expected to be deported after judges yesterday convicted the men and handed them suspended sentences. A third man, charged along with his two colleagues following the flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, was acquitted.
The trio appeared in an Abu Dhabi court also charged with indecent exposure and being intoxicated. Judges convicted two of the men, giving them three-month and one-year suspended prison sentences respectively. The third man was acquitted of all charges. The two guilty men are expected to be deported back to Australia within days.
All three first-class passengers were arrested after getting off their flight from Sydney to the UAE capital on April 27 following allegations they had sexually harassed a number of air-hostesses and cavorted around the cabin in their in-flight pyjamas while drunk and on drugs. A spokesman for two of the men, who are directors of an Australian mining company, said yesterday: "The two gentlemen who appeared from custody were well-dressed and they were obviously keen and very excited to have had their day in court."
Following the court hearing Iain Burns, VP Corporate Communications, Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad will continue to treat reports of alleged assault on our staff extremely seriously. “We support prosecutions by the authorities, where there is sufficient evidence, anywhere in the world. “The safety of our customers and crew is our ‘number one priority’ and we will continue to uphold a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers.”
SEVEN DAYS
Human traffickers face stiff penalties
Dubai - Jun 05: Dubai Public Prosecution has referred to the courts the second ever case of human trafficking in the country. Attorney General Essam Al-Humaidan, said that the prosecution has asked for tough penalties in the latest case. “Our government takes care of human life and we don’t want any human trafficking cases in our country,” he said. “We referred the three accused to the court which we now consider the second case ever in the country,” he added.
The three accused, two men and a woman from Asia, have been referred to the Court of First Instance after allegedly buying another Asian woman in the UAE for dhs4,300. The victim had escaped from her sponsor when the accused purchased her and forced her to work in the sex trade. Two people have been charged with human trafficking, while the third accused has been charged with assisting a crime.
According to the prosecution, the victim was beaten repeatedly and forced to work as a prostitute in the country. Earlier this year the Dubai Court of First Instance cleared an Indian couple of smuggling two children through Dubai from India to France. They were, however, convicted of using forged passports and jailed.
SEVEN DAYS