6-year residency cap for Indian expatriates in UAE on anvil

Dubai, Oct 24 (UNI) The emirate government plans to introduce residency cap which will restrict unskilled labourers from working in the country for more than six years, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said.

UAE Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi recently said his ministry might implement residency cap for unskilled workers proposed by Bahrain for all GCC countries.

''The UAE has informed us about the proposed residency ceiling. The country has not confirmed its implementation. If at all the UAE authorities go ahead with it, we will initiate different measures including dialogue. We are monitoring the situation. If the UAE government decides to implement the cap, we will examine ways to safeguard the interest of our workforce,'' said Mr Ravi addressing the media yesterday at the Indian consulate here, reported Khaleej Times.

He said India would launch a media campaign from November 1 to raise awareness about overseas jobs among the workers. The campaign will be through the regional and national newspapers and television channels.

''We are planning a welfare programme for the people returning from abroad after spending a specified time and currently working on the project which will rehabilitate the needy expatriates when they return home on a membership-based programme.'' said the Indian Overseas Minister.

He described his meeting with the UAE Labour Minister on Monday as 'fruitful'. ''We will work together to achieve common goals set by the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries on the welfare of workers. Periodical meetings of officials from both countries will be held to evaluate the developments,'' Mr Ravi said.

The Minister assured the Emirate Government that it will initiate strict measures against illegal recruitment agencies and already licences of more than 100 recruitment companies have been cancelled for indulging in malpractices.

UNI