140 illegal OFWs in Oman avail of amnesty

08/03/2010

At least 140 undocumented Filipino workers in Oman have availed of the government amnesty to foreign illegal workers amid warnings of stringent penalties and imprisonment.

An estimated 45,000 Filipinos are living in Oman and of this figure around 10,000 are undocumented.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the embassy continues to encourage illegal Filipino workers in the Middle East state to avail of the program to prevent being fined and sent to jail.

The amnesty program requires illegal expatriate workers to leave the Sultanate without paying penalties for overstaying and for having expired or no labor identification cards, provided that they pay the costs of their one-way ticket to their countries of origin.

The names of those applying for amnesty will be published in widely circulated newspapers before clearance for exit is given.

The purpose of the publication is for interested parties, such as employers who have complaints or claims against the illegal workers, to be able to prevent their departure.

Deportees will not be allowed to return to Oman for at least two years. Michaela P. del Callar

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