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Two Andhra districts top outpass receivers

DUBAI — More than half of the outpasses issued by the Indian consulate in Dubai this year to those not possessing valid travel documents are for people from two districts — Nizamabad and Karim Nagar — in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Official statistics show the mission issued about 2,107 outpasses this year.

Of these, more than half of the outpasses were issued to Illegal workers hailing from Karim Nagar and Nizamabad districts who had entered the UAE on visit visas.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, sources at the Indian consulate in Dubai said, "Most of the Illegal workers brought into the country were on visit visas arranged by unscrupulous recruiting agents. They also charged them a huge amount ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh15,000. We have informed the Indian government as well as the state government about this problem and they are now trying to tackle the issue."

“The recruiting agents operate brazenly in the state focusing on poor and ignorant labourers looking for 'lucrative' overseas jobs. They bring these workers to Dubai on visit visas. On their arrival in the UAE, the agents collect their passport and other travel documents leaving them to work illegally in different emirates," source said, describing the modus operandi.

"Most of the workers sell their property or take loans from the local money lenders back home to pay the agents. Once they get here, even though they are aware that they are not allowed to work on a visit visa, they have no choice because they have to pay back their huge loans," the source added.

Speaking to Khaleej Times from Hyderabad over telephone, Mohammed Shabbir Ali, Union Minister for Information and Non-Resident Affairs, said, "We are aware about the problems and measures taken already to solve the issue. The Andhra Pradesh government recently announced an NRI cell to monitor the problems of non-resident Indians, especially the workforce in the Gulf countries."

"The NRI cell will start its operations next week. The main focus of the cell will be to streamline such issues. Now, we are launching a number of campaigns to raise awareness among the labourers.

"We have also informed emigration officials at the airport to strictly monitor the workers leaving for the Gulf countries. Strict actions are also being taken against the recruiting agents who indulge in malpractices," he disclosed.

• UAE