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Monday, February 1, 2010     FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Gulf states struggling with massive surplus of illegal workers

ABU DHABI — Oman plans to containe foreign labor unrest ahead of a crackdown on illegal workers.   

Officials said the Persian Gulf sultanate has decided to reduce fines and delay other measures meant to end the huge illegal foreign labor presence in Oman. They said Muscat has offered an amnesty for the estimated 150,000 illegal aliens who have been working without official permission.

"This gives them the chance to leave the country for good without facing any financial penalties resulting from their illegal status," Omani Manpower Minister Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Abdullah Al Bakri said.


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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.




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