Crime plagues marooned expats

Claims surface that expatriates stranded in Oman and Iran are turning to crime or at risk of becoming victims.

ABU DHABI // Claims are surfacing that some desperate expatriates stranded in Oman and Iran after visa runs from the UAE are turning to crime or at risk of becoming victims of it. Acmad Omar, the Philippine ambassador in Oman, said the embassy was trying to verify one report of an alleged attack on a Filipina, and others that several Filipina, desperate for cash, had resorted to prostitution.

"We are investigating," said Mr Omar. "I sent the labour attaché and the assistance to nationals officer to Buraimi last Friday." For years Buraimi and Khasab in Oman, and Kish Island in Iran, have been popular destinations for those who go on so-called visa runs to extend their tourist visas while waiting for residency. Recent changes to visa laws, which apply to all but 33 nationalities, mean visa runs are unlikely to be successful. While Indians and Pakistanis may be able to fly home while awaiting new visas, for many Filipinos the journey home is too expensive.

There are about 2,000 stranded Filipinos on Kish Island, which is popular among tourists and lies about 240km from Dubai, and about 17km from the southern shore of Iran. There are another 1,500 Filipinos stranded in Buraimi, while 350 remain in Khasab, said Mr Omar. He had been told of a weekend television report on The Filipino Channel, is an international Filipino broadcasting service, which featured a Filipina who claimed a man tried to rape her in her hotel room. She screamed for help and the suspect was later arrested. Another man was quoted as saying some Filipinos were homeless.

Most people from the Philippines who have been stranded in Oman have not been able to get part-time jobs to pay for meals and hotel rooms. In Buraimi, the daily rate charged by most hotels for bed and breakfast is Dh60 (US$16.30). On Oct 2 a representative of a migrants' rights group interviewed some of the Filipinos stranded on Kish Island. "Prostitution is taking place on the island," said Nhel Morona, the secretary general of Migrante-UAE, a migrant workers' group.

One Filipina who had been on the island for two months had even offered her services in exchange for Dh50, he said. "That's how desperate they are. Some have even resorted to begging." Those who are not homeless are crowding into rooms measuring 25 square metres, six or seven at a time, he added. A travel agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Philippine government needed to take urgent action to be resolve the crisis.

"I hope they would meet the top immigration officials soon," she said. Benito Valeriano, the Philippineconsul general in Dubai, said the consulate was waiting for the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department to approve its request for a meeting with UAE immigration officials. "We hope they will allow us to meet with them," he said. "They have an idea about what our concerns are and have to prepare for it."

The consulate has come up with a list of guidelines and recommendations highlighting some of the most urgent cases. "We hope they will consider the cases which are based on factual observations and help us come up with solutions to the problems [related to visas]," he said. "Someone should be responsible." Mr Valeriano also urged his community to abide by the new regulations, and for UAE travel agencies to be honest with clients about them.

The Omani government charges a fine of 10 Omani rials (Dh100) a day to any foreigner who overstays their visa. Mr Omar said he was still waiting on a request to waive those fees for Filipinos. In a positive sign, Filipinos have been gradually leaving Oman and returning to the UAE on new visas, he said. @Email:[e-mail] Editorial, page 25