UAE amnesty to Telugus’ rescue

HUNDREDS OF families of the Gulf migrants in north Telangana districts are now hoping for the safe return of their loved ones from the United Arab Emirates soon.

The UAE government has declared a threemonth general visa amnesty from August 1 to October 31.

Under the scheme called ‘Protect yourself via rectifying your status’, foreigners violating the residency law will be granted a three-month grace period to leave the UAE voluntarily without prosecution.

Hundreds of families of the Gulf migrants in north Telangana districts are now hoping for the safe return of their loved ones from the United Arab Emirates soon. Indian workers, especially Telugu workers, have been staying illegally in the UAE without valid visa, passport, and other documents.

Thousands of youths from composite Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak districts went to the Gulf countries in search of employment. Either knowingly or because they were cheated by travel agents, they landed up as illegal immigrants.

In some cases visas have expired, in other cases there is no passport. These workers have landed up in prison in the UAE.

The UAE government has declared a threemonth general visa amnesty from August 1 to October 31.

The Gulf Migrants Welfare Association president and social activist Chand Pasha told this newspaper that the amnesty announced by the UAE government will definitely benefit Indian workers and allow them to reach home safely.

Mr Pasha said the Telangana state government should be tough with travel agents who are responsible for the illegal immigration.

It may be recalled that then NRI affairs minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir had visited the Gulf countries in 2007 and rescued Telugu workers. In undivided Andhra Pradesh, air passage was provided for the Gulf migrants to reach their native villages.

■ THE GULF Migrants Welfare Association president and social activist Chand Pasha told this newspaper that the amnesty announced by the UAE government will definitely benefit Indian workers and allow them to reach home safely.