Violators rush for outpasses

Around 18,000 violators of residency, naturalisation and labour laws have obtained leave permits, taking advantage of a three-month amnesty offered by the UAE Cabinet on June 3rd, a senior immigration officers has disclosed. Brigadier Mohammad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, urged illegals to take advantage of the amnesty and avoid prosecution. Under a Cabinet amnesty announced on June 3rd, foreign nationals present illegally in the country were given three months to conform to the law or leave the country without penalty. Upon the expiry of the amnesty, Brigadier Al Merri warned, violators will face penalties including imprisonment and a fine of AED100,000. The Cabinet decision was taken as part of measures designed to tighten up action against violators of the labour law, both employees and employers.Brigadier Al Merri, who also heads the labour affairs permanent committee in Dubai, said audit teams had been formed to ensure compliance with the Labour Ministry's compulsory noon break."Patrols will be on the move between 12:30 and 3 PM to record and report any violation of the Ministry's instructions," he said. Source