Emirati sponsors submit absconders’ passports in Fujairah
fujairah — The magnanimity of Emirati sponsors came to the fore as they heeded to the appeal of authorities to hand over passports of absconding employees and gave their full support to the amnesty initiative.
On its fourth day, 80 per cent of the 400 amnesty-seekers at the Fujairah centre were absconders who came to receive their passports, which were submitted to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) by their Emirati sponsors.
The sponsors enabled the absconders to benefit from the scheme, said Brigadier Dr Ahmed Ali Al Saghairy, acting executive director of the GDRFA in Fujairah.
After getting their passports from the GDRFA, the absconders began procedures related to modification of their status or departure from the country.
Brig Al Saghairy hailed the efforts of Emiratis in backing the move of the authorities by handing over absconders’ passports.
On the fourth day, the amnesty centre carried out a large number of fine-waiving procedures and issued many of them outpasses to be able to leave the country. In one case, the GDRFA waived Dh205,000 fine for an Indian worker who overstayed after running away from his sponsor seven years ago. “This was the largest waiver on the day,” he said.
Due to the massive turnout, the GDRFA has opened new offices to complete the formalities for the amnesty-seekers in a short time.
It has also increased the number of employees — from 11 to 33 — who provide technical support to the beneficiaries of the initiative. The GDRFA also pitched up a new tent with huge space to accommodate the increasing number of amnesty-seekers, who are expected to turn up in the coming days.