UAE Enforces Residency Law: Two Arrested and Fined for Illegal Employment
Court fines amount to Dh600,000 for individuals employing illegal workers amid nationwide inspections.
A court in the United Arab Emirates has imposed fines totaling Dh600,000 on two individuals for employing 12 workers illegally.
The arrests were made during inspections carried out in February, which are part of a broader effort by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) to enforce residency laws.
In addition to the fines from the court, the 12 workers involved were penalized with fines of Dh1,000 each and subsequently deported.
The ICP reported conducting 252 inspections last month, leading to the apprehension of numerous residency law violators, though the exact number of arrests was not disclosed.
During these inspections, a total of 4,771 establishments were checked for compliance with immigration regulations.
Violations identified included employing workers without the necessary permits, as well as issues related to workers being employed under contracts different from their assigned obligations.
Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, the director-general of the ICP, stated that the arrested individuals regarding violations were referred to appropriate authorities for further legal action.
He noted that penalties for such violations can reach up to Dh50,000, with the same fine applicable for illegally employing or housing workers.
Recruitment of personnel without providing them with legitimate employment and allowing them to work for multiple companies also incurs similar penalties.
The fines increase for repeated violations.
Major-General Al Khaili emphasized the importance of adhering to residency laws when hiring personnel and advised against the employment of workers lacking formal contracts.
Earlier in the year, the ICP had arrested approximately 6,000 individuals for violating residency laws, most of whom were deported.
The increased inspections followed the expiration of a visa amnesty period that allowed violators to either leave the country without penalties or obtain new contracts and remain legally in the UAE from September 1 to December 31 of the previous year.
During that amnesty, significant numbers of individuals were able to regularize their residency status.
Major-General Al Khaili noted the authority's ongoing efforts to locate remaining violators and enforce legal actions against them, although he did not specify the number of amnesty beneficiaries.
The ICP's ramped up inspection campaigns reflect a commitment to maintaining regulatory compliance among businesses and individuals in the UAE.
The arrests were made during inspections carried out in February, which are part of a broader effort by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) to enforce residency laws.
In addition to the fines from the court, the 12 workers involved were penalized with fines of Dh1,000 each and subsequently deported.
The ICP reported conducting 252 inspections last month, leading to the apprehension of numerous residency law violators, though the exact number of arrests was not disclosed.
During these inspections, a total of 4,771 establishments were checked for compliance with immigration regulations.
Violations identified included employing workers without the necessary permits, as well as issues related to workers being employed under contracts different from their assigned obligations.
Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, the director-general of the ICP, stated that the arrested individuals regarding violations were referred to appropriate authorities for further legal action.
He noted that penalties for such violations can reach up to Dh50,000, with the same fine applicable for illegally employing or housing workers.
Recruitment of personnel without providing them with legitimate employment and allowing them to work for multiple companies also incurs similar penalties.
The fines increase for repeated violations.
Major-General Al Khaili emphasized the importance of adhering to residency laws when hiring personnel and advised against the employment of workers lacking formal contracts.
Earlier in the year, the ICP had arrested approximately 6,000 individuals for violating residency laws, most of whom were deported.
The increased inspections followed the expiration of a visa amnesty period that allowed violators to either leave the country without penalties or obtain new contracts and remain legally in the UAE from September 1 to December 31 of the previous year.
During that amnesty, significant numbers of individuals were able to regularize their residency status.
Major-General Al Khaili noted the authority's ongoing efforts to locate remaining violators and enforce legal actions against them, although he did not specify the number of amnesty beneficiaries.
The ICP's ramped up inspection campaigns reflect a commitment to maintaining regulatory compliance among businesses and individuals in the UAE.
Translation:
Translated by AI
