Amnesty to cover expats if paperwork remains unfinished

Riyadh, Jul 2: Those expatriates whose documents have been accepted but could not be completed by Wednesday, the last day of the grace period, because of the paucity of time will be covered under the amnesty even after the deadline, an official source has clarified.

The source stressed that all files have to be complete and all conditions fulfilled.

Undocumented expat workers are in a race against time to take advantage of the amnesty ending Wednesday that would allow them to stay or return home without prosecution.

More than 1.5 million illegal workers came forward during the first two months of the amnesty, the Labour Ministry said. Of these, some 180,000 have left in addition to more than 200,000 unregistered workers expelled at the start of the year under new regulations to stamp out illegal immigration.

Sharon, a Filipina maid, stood queuing in the scorching heat outside her country's embassy in Riyadh.

“I'm trying to renew my passport as I am desperate to find an employer to sponsor me and keep me in the Kingdom,” she said.

“I've provided fingerprints and obtained a travel document, in case I don't get my passport ready in time,” the 38-year-old said.

But 25-year-old Anne, also from the Philippines, was concerned. “I have a travel document in hand, but I cannot find a seat on a flight to Manila. I am anxious to be with my daughter who I haven't seen in four years and hold her in my arms,” she said.

In Jeddah, Indonesian worker Ali Rahman stood outside Jakarta's consulate, desperately waiting to finalize his documents.

“I've lost hope unless the amnesty is extended to after July 3,” he said.

“There are still hundreds of us waiting here for consular formalities. And once completed, the paperwork has to go to the immigration authorities and the Labor Ministry.” It is a worrying time for the workers, most of whom are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, but with some from Yemen and Egypt too.

They are fearful of the campaign of arrests promised by authorities once the amnesty expires.

The authorities have warned employers who continue to shelter illegal workers that they risk up to two years in prison.

Economic analyst Fadhl al-Bouainain said the move will benefit both Saudis and foreign workers.

“This will help reorganize the labor market to promote the work of Saudis and protect foreign workers from the abuse of sponsors,” he said. However, he warned that the massive departure of tens of thousands of workers will “negatively impact business”, pointing out that some sectors, including construction, “are not attractive for Saudis” who want better paid positions.

He said the Labor Ministry should reduce by “at least 30 percent the number of workers in the Kingdom, if the campaign is to be successful.”

Another expert, Abdulwahab Abu Dahesh, was more skeptical of the amnesty's touted benefits.

“As foreigners do more low-paid jobs, replacing them with Saudis will not be quick and the impact on the national economy will take some time,” he said.

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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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