More than 280,000 benefitted

Abu Dhabi: More than 280,000 illegal residents benefited from amnesty, according to a senior Labour Ministry official.

Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, Assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of Labour, said the amnesty offer by the government achieved its goals as 286,000 illegal workers left the country or legalised their stay.

As per ministry statistics on absconding workers over years, 300,000 to 350,000 workers were believed to be illegally residing and working in the country. A ministerial committee has submitted a draft law on regulating the entry and residence of foreign workers to the higher authorities for approval, it was learnt.