The minister said illegal workers would be exempt from fines for staying
in Oman. Al Bakri said unlicensed foreigners would be given until April 1 to
leave without penalties.
"The reprieve will affect all expatriate workers whose contracts have
expired as of Dec. 31, 2009," Al Bakri said.
In November 2009, Oman launched a crackdown against the huge illegal
alien population, reported at more than 1 million, Middle East Newsline reported. Security forces raided
shantytowns around the sultanate in search for foreigners whose visas have
expired or were employed illegally.
Officials said the crackdown raised tension within Oman as well as
sparked concern from such allies as India and Pakistan. At least 25,000
Indians were said to be working illegally in the sultanate.
Diplomats from the remaining five Gulf Cooperation Council states have been monitoring the
Omani crackdown. Several GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates, have been struggling to control the rise in their foreign
labor sector.
Under the Omani decision, only foreigners who register with authorities would be eligible for amnesty. Officials said the amnesty was
approved in wake of complaints from both foreign embassies and the business
sector.
"We have had requests from businessmen, companies and other
organizations to look into the matter as fines began to mount for those who
stayed after the expiration of their visas," Al Bakri said.