The United Arab Emirates, a major hub for migrant labourers, on Wednesday began an amnesty for workers who entered the country without a visa or overstayed their work permit. The amnesty also grants those looking for employment a six-month visa to find a job. The UAE, the fourth largest oil producer in the OPEC oil cartel, is home to a huge workforce from Asia and Africa. The UAE press published testimonies of blue collar labourers who had come forward for the amnesty Wednesday. Prasad, who had worked as a tile cutter, told the daily his visa expired because his employers had failed to file papers to renew his residency.

Source: Punch August 01, 2018 12:22 UTC