Dubai: Many illegal residents said they are not aware of the 'no ban' clause announced by the authorities for amnesty seekers.
With the exception of the Indian consulate, other Asian missions received a marginal crowd from amnesty seekers yesterday.
A three-month amnesty was declared by the UAE Cabinet earlier this month. This is the third amnesty that has been declared by the authorities - the first was in 1998 and the second in 2003, which went on for six months.
Some amnesty seekers were seen arriving with their baggage at the centres, believing that they will be given a home-bound air ticket.
Outpass
Gulfam Bux, a Pakistani who had come to the UAE on a valid visa some eight years ago, said that he had approached his consulate to get an outpass, but is yet to decide whether to exit the country.
He said: "I have grown to like this country. It has helped me to educate my children back in Islamabad. Let me apply for an outpass after which I will decide whether I should leave or not. Frankly I am in no mood to go back now."
On whether he is aware of the no ban bonus handed to amnesty seekers, Bux said: "I don't know about that."
Babu Chandradas, an Indian, who was seen leaving the Indian High School auditorium after filling up and submitting his form for an outpass said: "I am so happy that I will finally be united with my family."
Chandradas has not been to his village in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh for five years. He had come to the UAE on a visit visa.
When asked whether he plans to come back now that he has no fear of being banned from entering the country, he said: "No, I would like to stay back with my family. My son has completed his college and is now earning. I was hoping against hope that the government grants a pardon to people like me."
Standing next to him was Jasminder Singh, a construction worker who was seeking an amnesty for the second time. The last time he did it was in 2003.
He said: "I got an outpass made then but then stayed back because I ended up with a job which paid me Dh950 more than what I was earning then. I am in this country, working as an illegal for the past six years and now I just want to go home."
A Nepalese illegal worker said he does not wish to take advantage of the amnesty. He said: "I just came to the UAE last year. A lot of effort, time and money had gone into my coming here. What is the hurry ... I will go when I want to go."
