Indian workers in Kuwait told to legalise their status

Dubai, May 12 (UNI) Indian expatriate workers in Kuwait, who do not have work permits or residency visas, are being urged to leave the country or legalise their status under the two-month amnesty scheme announced by the government.

The Interior Ministry has announced that it has begun making arrangements for dealing with violators after the amnesty period ending on June 30, reports Al-Rai Arabic daily.

A team headed by Assistant Under Secretary for General Security Affairs at the ministry, Major General Yousef Al-Sawadi will be tasked with the job of deporting offenders and blacklisting them under the amnesty that started on May 1.

Meanwhile, ''all residence law violators, including those wanted by police for running away from their sponsors or other security reasons can leave the country without facing any legal action,'' Al-Watan Arabic daily said quoting officials.

''Violators willing to correct their status can pay the financial dues and fulfill the required conditions for obtaining new residence permits before the grace period,'' they said.

Under the amnesty all violators whose residence permits expired on or before April 24, 2007 can leave the country without paying fines.

All others whose permits expired on or after April 25 will have to clear their dues before leaving the country, they added.

Violators who leave the country during the amnesty period can come back to Kuwait on fresh work permits and visit visas, the officials explained.

UNI