Lankans overstaying in Kuwait to return under general amnesty

by Ananda Kannangara

Over 5,000 Sri Lankan expatriate workers, who are illegally overstaying in Kuwait will get an opportunity to return to the country under a general amnesty granted to overseas workers by the Kuwait Government last week.

The amnesty which will expire on June 30, was granted following a recent survey conducted by the Kuwait Government on expatriate workers who are employed in the country by violating immigration and emigration procedures. It is said that 90 percent of Sri Lankans are employed as housemaids and many of them do not possess valid job documents.

"According to reports, about 1,200 workers have so far reported to the Lankan Embassy to make their departure without facing any prosecution," Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Deputy General Manager (Foreign Relations) L.K. Ruhunage told the `Sunday Observer'. He also said that a special counter has been opened in the Lankan Embassy in Kuwait for the benefit of workers, wishing to return under the special amnesty.

"However, such workers will be given prominence to get back to their work places in future with proper SLBFE channels with valid documents," he added.