273,805 labourers benefit from amnesty

Dubai: The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department announced that the number of illegal workers who took advantage of the amnesty reached 273,805, including 107,217 who have regularised their residency status.

The various branches of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) have issued over 166,588 out-passes to illegal residents.

Brigadier Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director of DNRD, said more than 126,000 labourers have returned to their home countries and the remainder are awaiting confirmation of their flights out of the UAE.

Regulation of status

Al Merri called on all illegal workers who have yet to regulate their status to come forward to the authorities to legalise their stay in the country or receive help with departure procedures.

DNRD has also warned all companies and institutions to refrain from hiring non-compliant persons or else face legal action.

Brigadier Al Merri commended the efforts and cooperation of the various authorities and strategic partners such as the Dubai Police, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), and the Dubai Municipality, which will be honoured in a special ceremony soon.