Woes of stranded Pakistanis being addressed, says envoy
Afzaal Mahmood held a detailed meeting with senior officials from the UAE’S Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) in this regard
Pakistan’ s ambassador to th eu aeafzaalm ah mood has assured community members, stranded in Pakistan ater the suspension of the in-bound UAE flights, that they are trying to resolve the issue with the local authorities.
In a statement issued on Friday, Afzaal Mahmood held a detailed meeting with senior officials from the UAE’S Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
“He sought their assistance in helping Pakistani expatriate workers, including extension of work permits and visas of those who could not return to the UAE due to suspension of flights,” the statement said.
It is also mentioned that hundreds of thousands of Pakistani expat workers are stranded in Pakistan since May ater the suspension of regular flights due to the latest variant of the coronavirus, Delta.
Many Pakistanis who went during Ramadan on their annual leave to spend Eid Al Fitr with their families were stuck and since then are desperately trying to come back to the UAE to save their jobs, businesses or other obligations they were supposed to fulfil ater Eid.
“The stranded expat Pakistanis overstaying in the native country due to flight suspension, could get their work permits and visas extended through their employers,” the Ambassador said.
“With regard to workers’ requests for visa cancellation, it was informed that they could apply to the Labour Ministry which approves cancellation within two weeks,” he further informed.
The ambassador advised the aggrieved pakistani workers to directly approach the Labour Ministry through the following contacts:
1. 24-hour toll free telephone number: 80060
2. Labour Claims & Advisory Centre: 04 6659999 (Dubai)
3. Enjaz: Marina Mall- 02-2031004, Mushrif Mall-02-203i003 in Abu Dhabi, Al Aln Mall 022031002 in AI Ain.
Expatriate Pakistanis in the UAE are encouraged to register their complaints (if any) with the Labour Ministry through the above contact numbers.
However, the Pakistan Embassy can also be reached through the following email address: complaints@pakistanembassyuae.org
However, the current status on the resuming of flights from Pakistan to the UAE is yet to be announced which further compounded problems for the stranded Pakistanis. Such stranded Pakistanis for months have already reached many forums to register their grievances to come back and resume their duties.
A recent report said expats stuck in Pakistan told Gulf Today that they hoped the authorities would lit the entry restrictions for the resident visa holders, especially those who are fully vaccinated.
Uae-based expatriates, especially stranded in their home countries, are becoming increasingly concerned about jobs, a new survey has found.
New research carried out by Zurich International Life revealed that more than 50 per cent of foreign workers in the country are far from confident about retaining their jobs.
The Embassy in Abu Dhabi also had raised travel concerns of Pakistani expatriates stranded in their home country before the authorities to help resolve the situation.
Nazir Javed Bhati said, “I have a job there and these travel restrictions cost me a lot. I am like in a nowhere to go situation. I came to Pakistan to celebrate Eid-ul-fitr with my family. My return flight was booked for May 28, but got stuck due to flight suspension.”
Another expatriate, Nabidad Khan, who went to Karachi from Sharjah in May, said it was not possible for him to pay thousands of rupees towards family expenses. “Because of restrictions I am not able to resume my duty back in the UAE.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of Pakistani expatriate workers were rallying in the capital, Islamabad, demanding they be quickly inoculated with the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca vaccine so that they could travel abroad.
The protesters, who earlier this week arrived in Islamabad from various parts of the country, blocked a key road outside a mass vaccination centre ater they were told that the specific vaccines were being arranged for them.
Pakistan’ s corona virus positivity rate has remained below the 3 per cent mark for the last 15 days, as strict restrictive measures backed by vaccination enabled this declining trend, the national command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said.