More than 250 Indian illegals held in Sharjah

In a special campaign, Sharjah Department of Naturalization and Residency and Sharjah Police arrested the Indian illegals, 67 of whom had no IDs or documents, Major Al Shamsi, director of Follow-Up Section at the Sharjah Department of Naturalization and Residency said.

Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times: “The violators came to the UAE on visit visas. Some had residence visas but which had expired several years ago and they had not renewed it. Some of the arrested were working with people other than their sponsors. They were all referred to the Sharjah Public Prosecution on Wednesday.”

The official warned that labour law violators would face stricter penalties now that amnesty period had ended. He said the penalties would be determined according to the types of offences — providing employment or shelter to violators.

Al Shamsi added that the crackdown on the illegals was made after they received reliable information that a number of illegals were living in different parts of Sharjah, including old buildings, remote areas and in some traditional houses.

After the information from the source was confirmed, the Department took permission from the Sharjah Public Prosecution and raided the locations, which resulted in the arrest of 267 illegals.

The official disclosed that during the last month, the Sharjah Department of Naturalization and Residency had carried out intensive campaigns at a number of companies in Sharjah and had also arrested a number of illegal labourers and referred the owners of companies to Public Prosecution.