The Ministry of Interior called on all members of society; sponsors, citizens; residents; company owners and institutions, to cooperate with the objectives of its media awareness campaign. This campaign, implemented by the Directorates General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, in coordination with the Violators and Foreigners Affairs follow-up section at the Assistant Undersecretary Office for Naturalization, Residency and Foreigners, aims to acquaint violators of the Law of Entry and Residence, with the grace period which ends on the first week of February. Moreover, the Ministry urged all these entities to undertake their social and national duty, by refraining from employing violators, for the stability and security of the homeland.
Brigadier Dr. Abdullah Ali bin Sahoo, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah, Chairman of the Media Committee, indicated that, as per the directives of the Police Leadership, inspection campaigns will be intensified, to arrest violators, after this deadline, noting that illegal residents who fail to make use of this amnesty granted by the UAE government, will face the full force of the law. Moreover, he added that penalties will be imposed on all those who fail to come forward to the allocated centers, during the deadline, or those who employ violators.
He added: “The issue of illegal laborers represents a security challenge due to the adverse effects on society, reflected on the security, economic, social or legal aspects”; emphasizing the keenness to achieve the main objective of the campaign, to combat the widespread phenomenon of Law of Entry and Residence violations, and increase the public awareness.
The Ministry reiterated its call to all Residency violators to come forward to the centers allocated by the Directorates General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs throughout the country, to avail of the remaining grace period granted by the government.
Brigadier Dr. Abdullah Ali bin Sahoo encouraged all violators to immediately begin the required procedures to leave the country and not to wait to the last minute.
He stated that the 10 centers include: Abu Dhabi, in the Identity Registration Office in Mussafah area, EMAS Company; the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department in Al Ain area, EMAS Company; the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department in the Western Region, EMAS Company; the Violators and Foreigners Section, in Al Aweer area, Dubai.
The centers also include the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah; the Office of Naturalization and Residency in Khor Fakkan; the Ras Al Khaimah Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Ras Al Khaimah, at the Foreign Offices Department in Al Jazira Al Hamar; the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Ajman; in Umm Al Quwain, the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Umm Al Quwain; and in Al Fujairah, the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Fujairah.
Chairman of the Media Committee praised the cooperation of all police entities and the various media outlets, TV, print and radio in the state, with the campaign’s objectives, to enhance public awareness.
He indicated that the concerned parties at the Ministry of Interior have worked as one team at the state level, to intensify the awareness campaign. Moreover, he pointed out to the media campaign carried out by the Security Media Department, represented by Press Branch, to increase media awareness messages. These concerted efforts were achieved in coordination with all local Arabic, English and Asian newspapers, in addition to the Radio and TV branches, as well as the social media networks at the various police