By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 6th August 2007
THE majority of people who are not applying for the government’s general amnesty fear they will be blacklisted and deported, according to Indian and Pakistan embassy officials. Almost all the people who have approached the two embassies so far claim to have lost their passport and want to leave, it emerged yesterday.
There were very few people who applied to work under a legal visa in Bahrain.
This is in addition to some who claim that their legal documents were being withheld by their sponsor, which makes it impossible for them to go home or change jobs legally even if they wanted to.
By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 6th August 2007
THE majority of people who are not applying for the government’s general amnesty fear they will be blacklisted and deported, according to Indian and Pakistan embassy officials. Almost all the people who have approached the two embassies so far claim to have lost their passport and want to leave, it emerged yesterday.
There were very few people who applied to work under a legal visa in Bahrain.
This is in addition to some who claim that their legal documents were being withheld by their sponsor, which makes it impossible for them to go home or change jobs legally even if they wanted to.
Nearly 125 applications for emergency exits were received by the Indian Embassy and about 25 by the Pakistan Embassy yesterday.
However, not all applicants will be able to benefit from the amnesty because their cases need to be reviewed first.
If there is a case filed against them, then they will not be allowed to leave.
“So far no one has approached the embassy to have their stay here legalised,” said an Indian Embassy official.
“However, we received nearly 125 applications for emergency exits, which are the highest number in one day so far.
“A committee has been set up by the embassy for those who want to legalise their stay and we would like people to benefit from this provision of the government’s amnesty.
“They will be referred to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, who will study their case and see what can be done.
“They can change their jobs if they have a proper reason to leave their current sponsor.”
The official said that the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence has assured that nobody who leaves the country using the official pardon will be blacklisted.
“If there is a general belief among people that they will be blacklisted by Bahrain if they get an emergency exit during the amnesty period, it is not at all true,” he said.
“They can still come back on a fresh visa and work here legally – there is no problem in that.”
A Pakistan Embassy official said that workers have nothing to fear when they are legalising their stay here.
“We promise the people that their cases will be dealt in the fairest way,” he said.
“Since the Bahrain government has also provided a facility to have their stay legalised, people should try and utilise it.
“No one has to fear approaching us thinking that they will be blacklisted for leaving the country with an emergency exit or for legalising their stay because they will not be.
“They can leave and still come back with a new visa and work here legally.”
© Gulf Daily News