Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT1606
2005-10-26 10:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
INDIAN OVERSTAYERS OFFERED EASY OUT
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001606
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP
STATE PASS TO USTR (AROSENBERG)
LABOR FOR JSHEA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM SMIG SOCI PREL MU
SUBJECT: INDIAN OVERSTAYERS OFFERED EASY OUT
REF: MUSCAT 1327
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001606
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP
STATE PASS TO USTR (AROSENBERG)
LABOR FOR JSHEA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM SMIG SOCI PREL MU
SUBJECT: INDIAN OVERSTAYERS OFFERED EASY OUT
REF: MUSCAT 1327
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. The Indian Embassy has announced that it has struck a
deal with the Omani Ministry of Manpower to facilitate the
exit of all Indian nationals currently in Oman on expired
employment visas. The move comes as a welcome reprieve to
thousands of unemployed Indians incapable of paying overstay
fines. End summary.
--------------
Unemployed Indians To Exit En Masse
--------------
2. On October 17, the Indian embassy announced in the local
press that the Ministry of Manpower has agreed to allow the
exit of thousands of Indians on expired residence/labor
visas. Since then, the Indian embassy has been swamped with
nationals registering to exit, and estimates that at least
10,000 Indians will leave Oman under the program. Indians
wishing to depart are required to register with the Indian
Embassy by providing copies of passports and airline tickets
home. The Indian Embassy has also asked airlines to offer
reduced fares for the returnees.
3. According to an Indian embassy source, a large number of
Indians were rendered jobless after they were barred from
running small grocery stores or being employed as drivers
under the government's drive to "Omanize" certain labor
sectors. Many Indian nationals are beginning to realize that
Omanis are rapidly assuming jobs they once held, and see this
new offer as a welcome opportunity to return home.
--------------
Comment: A Welcome Step
--------------
4. As reported in reftel, Omani fines for overstayers,
designed to encourage observance of immigration laws, has the
unintended effect of making it prohibitively expensive for
them to depart. By periodically offering fine waivers, the
Omani government is able to reduce the out-of-status
population, removing an illegal labor pool at greater risk of
exploitation by unfair labor practices -- a plus for all
parties involved.
BALTIMORE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP
STATE PASS TO USTR (AROSENBERG)
LABOR FOR JSHEA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM SMIG SOCI PREL MU
SUBJECT: INDIAN OVERSTAYERS OFFERED EASY OUT
REF: MUSCAT 1327
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. The Indian Embassy has announced that it has struck a
deal with the Omani Ministry of Manpower to facilitate the
exit of all Indian nationals currently in Oman on expired
employment visas. The move comes as a welcome reprieve to
thousands of unemployed Indians incapable of paying overstay
fines. End summary.
--------------
Unemployed Indians To Exit En Masse
--------------
2. On October 17, the Indian embassy announced in the local
press that the Ministry of Manpower has agreed to allow the
exit of thousands of Indians on expired residence/labor
visas. Since then, the Indian embassy has been swamped with
nationals registering to exit, and estimates that at least
10,000 Indians will leave Oman under the program. Indians
wishing to depart are required to register with the Indian
Embassy by providing copies of passports and airline tickets
home. The Indian Embassy has also asked airlines to offer
reduced fares for the returnees.
3. According to an Indian embassy source, a large number of
Indians were rendered jobless after they were barred from
running small grocery stores or being employed as drivers
under the government's drive to "Omanize" certain labor
sectors. Many Indian nationals are beginning to realize that
Omanis are rapidly assuming jobs they once held, and see this
new offer as a welcome opportunity to return home.
--------------
Comment: A Welcome Step
--------------
4. As reported in reftel, Omani fines for overstayers,
designed to encourage observance of immigration laws, has the
unintended effect of making it prohibitively expensive for
them to depart. By periodically offering fine waivers, the
Omani government is able to reduce the out-of-status
population, removing an illegal labor pool at greater risk of
exploitation by unfair labor practices -- a plus for all
parties involved.
BALTIMORE