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Drive against employing illegals

DUBAI - The Dubai Police will on March 16 launch a campaign against those employing workers who are sponsored by others. The campaign’s theme is ‘Employing People without Sponsors: A Danger to Home Security’.

Briefing the Press yesterday, Lt-Col Dr Jasim K. Mirza, Head of Safety Awareness in Dubai Police, said, “We seek a concerted contribution from all sections of the society to curb this menace.” He cautioned that violators should remember that they could be fined Dh100,000 per person for employing infiltrators and illegals. Those who employ workers with legal resident permits, but not on their sponsorship, will be fined Dh50,000.

He admitted that the authorities have been a bit soft on the issue, but the new federal law which came into effect recently imposing fines for sheltering or employing an illegal resident has plugged all loopholes.

The fines announced as per the new law is Dh50, 000 per person, while a repeat offence could result in a jail term.

The Director-General of Department of Naturalisation and Residency, Major-General Mohammad Salem bin Awaida Al Khaili, had issued a warning on the same matter last month.

“We found out that thousands of people violated the law and this phenomenon not only poses security risks for the country, but also causes social and economic problems for others,” Al Khaili noted.

Those who employ infiltrators would face a fine of Dh100,000 per person plus a jail term of a minimum of two months. If a sponsor employs several illegal residents then the fines would be multiplied.

However, the courts issue verdicts on a case-by-case basis and the illegal residents are deported to their home countries.

A sponsor who reports an absconding employee will get back his bank guarantee of Dh5,000.

• UAE