[Oman-L] Illegal workers given two-month grace period to leave without fine

[Joachim Duester]

Khaleej Times, 27 January 2010
 
An estimated 125,000 illegal expatriate workers in Oman will get
another opportunity to leave the country without legal action or fines
following an extension of the amnesty announced by the government
earlier.

According to Omani Manpower Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser
al-Bakri, overstaying expatriate workers will get a two-month grace
period beginning February 1.

The exemption covers all foreigners whose labour cards were not renewed
by December 2009. Bakri said the move was in continuation of the
efforts to organise the labour market and assist employers in
systematising their workforce.

Oman had amended its Labour Law last year to say that those who
employed illegal workers would be held accountable along with the
employees. Sponsors of illegal workers would also be fined.

With the new regulation, many companies stopped employing illegal or
irregular workers, as labour checking began both in private offices and
in residential areas. A large number of workers in the low-level
category were left without jobs.

According to Bakri, extending the amnesty was necessary. Many employers
wanted to seize the chance to organise their establishments in
accordance with the Omani Labour Law.

Illegal expatriate workers are mainly from India. The Indian Envoy in
Oman, Anil Wadhwa, welcomed the move. Already, more than 17,000
illegals are reported to have given their names to the embassy for
repatriation.

Ministry statistics say expatriates in the private sector number 1.05 million as of January this year.