65 UAE firms face prosecution for hiring illegals

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FACING PROSECUTION: Sixty-five companies have been caught hiring illegal workers. Picture for illustrative purposes only. (Getty Images)

The owners of more than 60 UAE companies face the prospect of being deported or jailed after they were caught employing illegal workers.

Mohsen Saeed Al Nessi, director of the inspection department, said on Sunday 95 workers had been found working for 65 firms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai without work permits, labour contracts, health insurance or labour cards, reported UAE daily Khaleej Times.

Al Nessi said the companies have been referred to the public prosecution.

The move comes after a crackdown on companies hiring workers illegally following a four-month amnesty ending at the start of November last year, during which illegal workers were given the opportunity to legalise their status or leave the country.

RELATED: UAE pledges crackdown as amnesty ends

If convicted the companies and their owners face harsh penalties, including heavy fines for the company, deportation followed by a life ban from the UAE for expatriate owners and at least six months in jail for Emirati owners.

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