Dubai: Indian expat Abdulla Thayambath has witnessed several seasons of amnesty. He has seen tens of thousands of undocumented expatriate workers and families enter the amnesty centres in despair and come out with relief and hope for a new life.
He has also done his bit in helping them quench their thirst and beat their hunger as they waited to finish the procedures to fly home without getting fined for overstaying their visas.
Thayambath’s Kadeeja Cafeteria’s stall is the only food outlet that is serving water, juice, tea, coffee, sandwiches and other snacks to amnesty-seekers in the special tents set up in Al Aweer this time as well.
Hailing from Kerala, he is charging only Dh1 to Dh3 for these items and also offers them for free if the customer can’t afford it.
Though the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has also kept water bottles for free, both amnesty applicants and officials from local departments and diplomatic missions come to the kiosks set up by Thayambath in both men’s and women’s tents to buy beverages and snacks.
The 48-year-old Malayali, who had started working as an office boy in Dubai Courts in 1991, told Gulf News on Thursday that he had done this during the previous amnesty periods in 2003, 2007 and 2012-2013 as well.
“I got this chance because of the kindness of the immigration officials. They are the ones who have given approvals ever since I started a cafeteria inside the old jail in Al Quoz in 2002.”
He remembered the then jail manager, who is now a senior officer in Dubai Airports, with gratitude for his support.
While the first amnesty centre where Thayambath’s stall was stationed was in Al Quoz, the second was in Jumeirah after the relocation of the jail over there. He also opened a stall in Al Aweer during the last amnesty held from December 2012 to February 2013.
“I’m not seeing this as a business opportunity. It is also a service,” he said.
This time, he said he also helped an amnesty-seeker from his native place with a job offer as a cook.
“He had called me to check about the procedures like many people do since I am here. I had a vacancy. So I thought of offering that job to him so that he can stay back here.”
Thayambath is all praise for the reprieve the UAE government is offering to the undocumented expats.
“They are providing good facilities and procedures are done much faster than during the first amnesty period. Though people are coming with cases, everyone is treated gently without any discrimination.”
He said immigration officials regularly visit the stall to monitor the services and rates.
Abdullah Al Muhairi, an immigration official at the outpass section, who came to have a snack during our interview took time to appreciate the services of Thayambath.
“He is selling these stuffs for just one or two dirhams. Even one dirham matters for many applicants who come here. It is good for his business also as more people will buy [the food items],” said Al Muhairi.
Thayambath, who has cafeterias at the main bus stands in Deira Gold Souq and Sonapur areas and at Muraqqabat police station, said he has got an offer to open a cafeteria at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) depot in Al Warsan.
