UAE MoI nabs over 65,000 illegal workers in 2011

More than 65,000 illegal workers were nabbed in 2011 (Getty Images)

RELATED ARTICLES: Oman to crack down on illegal construction workers | Minister: Saudisation will cut illegal visa trade | KSA wants illegal workers out of the Kingdom

More than 65,000 illegal workers were apprehended in the UAE last year, the Ministry of Interior has announced, with the majority being tracked down by authorities or handing themselves in.

However, officials also praised the UAE public for their role in dobbing in the illegal immigrants, with more than 750 phone calls received from people eager to report lawbreakers.

In total, some 65,751 unauthorised workers, including labourers, drivers, gardeners, maids and cooks, a report by UAE based daily newspaper, 7 Days, said.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

“Many of the workers were caught by police after information from the public, in a scheme called ‘Sahim’ (contribute),” said Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, director of the Illegal Migrants Follow-up Division at the Ministry of Interior.

He added that a number of the immigrants had handed themselves in because they couldn’t get a job, especially in cases where they had absconded from their employer or overstayed their visa. The arrested workers have either been deported or referred to public prosecution.

“The newly introduced campaign enables the public to directly inform police if they suspect anyone to be staying illegally in the country. It has contributed to the crackdown on the violators of residence laws,” Al Rashidi explained.

The penalty for working illegally in the UAE is up to two months in jail and deportation.

To report illegal workers, he suggested that residents call Sahim (80 080).