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Dubai: Two Indian labourers with valid visas, labour cards and passports in hand were seen enquiring yesterday about whether they can go on a short vacation to India and come back under the amnesty.
The amnesty spread much needed relief and cheer not only among illegal labourers, but also among their legal colleagues.
The general pardon has been a talking point since it was announced earlier this week by the UAE Cabinet.
Standing in line outside the closed gates of the Indian Consulate, Sukwinder Singh a carpenter from the North Indian state of Punjab was busy making sure that he has filled his application form for an outpass or an emergency certificate. He has not gone home for the last three years.
Vacation
Speaking to Gulf News surrounded by his colleagues, Singh said that he wanted to go home.
He said, "I have not been able to save money for an air ticket. I earn Dh600 and I send all of it home. I learnt from my colleagues at the labour accommodation that under the amnesty, people can go home free of cost. I want to go home on a short vacation and come back."
Raja Mohandas, another Indian labourer from the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh came prepared with a copy of his valid passport, a copy of his labour card, along with a neatly filled up application form for an outpass.
Speaking to Gulf News, a visibly happy looking Mohandas said the government of the UAE is very kind to allow people like him to go home for free. Waving his application form he said: "I came to the UAE a year-and-a-half ago. I work as a helper in one of the construction sites in Deira and I earn Dh550. I was saving up to go home next year but now I heard that we can go home for free."
The labourers said they were also told by staff at a typing centre of a free passage back home.
When Singh and Mohandas were told that they do not qualify to go under amnesty as they carry valid papers on them, the two were quick to step out of the long serpentine queue outside the consulate gates.
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