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View All NewsOman – Amnesty extended for illegal migrant workers
Oman has extended its amnesty for illegal foreign workers to leave the country without being fined to the end of October, according to a press note from the Ministry of Manpower. More than 14,000 illegal workers have applied for the amnesty so far.A Ministry official stated that more than 60,000 foreigners, mostly from the Indian subcontinent, have taken advantage of the six-month period which started on 3rd May.
The Sultanate had earlier offered amnesty for undocumented workers in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and tens of thousands of such migrant workforce had left the country without facing legal actions.
However, the Ministry of Manpower has urged people to make use of the grace period failing which severe action would be initiated against them. The amnesty will only apply to absconding workers and those who have overstayed their visa periods.
"We urge the undocumented workers living in the country to make use of the extended general pardon and facilitate though their respective diplomatic missions", the statement said.
Expatriates constitute 1.82 million, or 44%, of Oman's total population of 4.16 million. "Illegal workers will be allowed to leave the country as long as they don't have any pending cases," said the official.
According to Omani media reports, there are around 40,000 undocumented Bangladeshi workers, 4,000 Pakistanis and 3,000 Indians. Some 546,487 Bangladeshis, 609,096 Indians and 214,258 Pakistani workers have valid official documents.