133 illegal workers found living in Abu Dhabi workshop

More than 100 illegal immigrants were found in a recent sweep, officials say.

Powered by automated translation

ABU DHABI // More than 100 illegal immigrants who fled their sponsors have been found living in a car workshop.

Police said yesterday they had received a report that people were hiding in the Musaffah Industrial Area.

Officers carried out a surprise inspection at labour houses and workshops, and found the men.

The illegal immigrants were found in conditions that lacked even minimal safety standards, said Maj Gen Nasser Al Minhali, the acting assistant under secretary for the Abu Dhabi Department of Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs.

The names of the 133 Bengali men found had been reported to police by their sponsors after they ran away.

After checking the men's identification documents, it was discovered they were all being employed by one person, who was arrested.

The men confessed they had fled from their employers and were working technical jobs for a daily salary.

Inspection campaigns will continue day and night to enforce immigration laws, Maj Gen Al Minhali said.