Record penalty for residency violator

A Yemeni man has been fined 1.5 million dirhams ($409,000) and sentenced to two months in jail for harbouring 15 illegal immigrants he helped to enter and stay in the UAE, it was reported on Monday.

The fine is thought to be the highest of its kind relating to foreign residency laws since the end of the grace period granted to illegal residents in November 2007, emirates news agency Wam reported.

The man was sentenced by the Bani Yas Court of First Instance along with the 15 violators, who will face deportation after serving two months in prison.

According to court records, the suspect himself entered the country illegally, aiding the passage of the Yemenis through Oman and charging them 200 dirhams each for accommodation in Bani Yas.

UAE Minister of Labour Ali Abdullah Al Kaabi sent out a stark warning in December to employers about the hiring of illegal workers following the end of the labour amnesty in November, under which thousands of labourers left the country without penalty.

"Any company that is caught employing illegal workers will face a $13,615 fine per worker on the first offence, and a $27,230 fine per worker on the second offence," Al Kaabi said.

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