News
|
||||
Hundreds
of Lankan women in UAE jails Among those in jail were some five Lankans serving life imprisonment while scores of others are being held on charges ranging from narcotic-related offences, fraud, cheating, assault, and visa violations, a senior official at the Colombo Diplomatic Mission in Dubai told The Sunday Times. A majority of the detainees are awaiting trial or deportation for violating the labour laws of the country. Among them are women who had ditched their original sponsors and sought work elsewhere, which is an offence, the Mission’s Labour Attache L.K. Ruhunuge said. He said the numbers were likely to rise in the coming days as the local authorities intensified their raids on suspected apartments and blocks known to harbour runaway workers mainly domestic aides. The raids are a common occurrence during the peak period in summer. Mr. Ruhunuge said there was very little the embassy could do except visit the detainees in jail, look after their interests and try to work out their repatriation as soon as possible with the cooperation of the local authorities. He said, except for a few instances where the Mission helps out, most of the other detainees were asked to find the money for the return fare. Mr. Ruhunuge said persons were held between two and three months before their release could be finally worked out. He said in the case where a person has lost his or her travel documents the Consulate provides them with an exit pass after a thorough investigation in order to avoid fake claims. The Consulate also operates two safe houses that provide food and shelter for workers who have ditched their sponsors for reasons such as harassment and the non-payment of wages. In such instances the workers are looked after until an agreement could be worked out with the employer and a safe passage sought to send them back home. In some cases the women themselves cough up the cash for the return fare, with the assistance of their relatives back home. In the most recent crackdown, the authorities rounded up some 150 illegal workers in the Emirate of Fujairah, reports said on Saturday. The identity of those held were not revealed, but Lankan consulate officials say many Sri Lankans are likely to be among the group. Thousands of Sri Lankan expatriate workers are believed to be working illegally in the Emirates after running away from their original sponsors in a bid to seek greener pastures elsewhere and a more independent life style. The bulk of this group is made up of women, according to the Consulate officials. The newly appointed Ambassador to the UAE, M.N Junaid told The Sunday Times that Lankans seeking work here must be made aware of the laws of the land. “True enough some of them may be ignorant of this issue, but recruiting agencies among others in the country of origin could help out in this regard”, he said. “There is no use of crying once an offence has been committed. The law must take its course, wherever it may be”, he explained. However we do provide whatever assistance possible like providing them with legal counsel, but there are limitations”, Mr. Junaid added. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
