Expatriate groups in Qatar step in to help amnesty seekers
There are thousands upon thousands of expatriates in Qatar who have no means of leaving the country due to various reasons.
In some cases, it may be that they lost their identification papers. In others, it could be because they escaped from hellish jobs and continued their existence in secret. Whatever the reasons may be, it is true that most of them have not gone back to their home countries in decades.
The Qatar government recently announced a three-month amnesty period for such illegal residents, beginning on September 1, during which time they can leave without any legal consequences.
A number of embassies in Qatar had promised help in sending such expatriates back home. And now, several expatriate organisations have come foreward to do the same.
Several runaway workers, including housemaids, families and others who have overstayed and people working illegally stand to benefit from the third amnesty, The Peninsula reported.
The latest amnesty has come ahead of the enforcement of a new law regulating entry, exit and residency of expatriates.
A senior official of Indian Cultural Center (ICC), the umbrella body of Indian community organisations, said it would soon hold a meeting of representatives of all affiliated bodies to discuss the issue.
“The news has spread among expatriates, but there’re many in remote areas outside the city who’re still unaware of it. We’ll soon chalk out a joint plan to disseminate information among community members, focusing on labour camps and remote areas,” ICC President Girish Kumar said.
People planning to seek amnesty can contact the ICC offices during regular working hours for related information.
ICC, in collaboration with affiliate bodies and the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), will also explore ways to provide air tickets to needy Indians seeking amnesty.
The Kerala Muslim Cultural Center will use social media networks and other available channels to spread awareness about amnesty among the Indian community.
Tennison de Silva, President of Sri Lanka Coordinating Committee Qatar, said that the committee has called a meeting of member organisations at the Sri Lankan embassy to discuss ways to help the Sri Lankan amnesty seekers.
A Nepalese community worker said that the number of illegal Nepalese residents could be relatively high, considering the large size of their community members.
Nepalese formed the highest, among the nearly 10,000 illegal residents who left the country taking advantage of the last amnesty in 2004.
its a good move by the government.
The reason for illegal expats could be of many.
this cannot be due to weakness of immigration , but due to the situations arising after the procedure was completed.
some workers flee the hard working conditions and no pay.
some never get to go to jobs. the hiring agencies just collect the lumpsum amount in their home country bring them to qatar and stash them into rooms without any job offerings.
Though the officials are cracking such cases, its good atleast to see thing moving the positive way.
It's good move, appreciated by all the concerned parties ..................................
I am surprised that there are "thousands upon thousands of expatriates in Qatar who have no means of leaving the country due to various reasons."
As for the reasons given - "it may be that they lost their identification papers." - seems illogical, since such papers can always be replaced.
Anyway, the onus is on the Embassies to help repatriate their nationals. One issue could be cots - will the embasies make them pay for the sir tickets ?
Qatar only shows their incompetence in handling immigration properly. So, the give an amnesty to their own mistakes. Ha, ha.
It's a shame that illegal residents are possible at all!
They need our help and support