There is talk in the town that Labour Market Regulatory Authority will once again be providing an ‘amnesty’ for illegal workers as was provided last year.

Although hundreds of illegal workers were given amnesty there are still hundreds who need to be legalised. This is because many hesitated to come forward due to insecurity and fear, many were not aware of the facility.

 In almost all cases we find that workers become illegal due to harassment and victimisation by the employers.

Here, again and again we would like stress that there is a need for realisation by the government, immigration department and Labour Ministry that just seeing these workers become illegal and taking action is not enough and is unfair. But there is a need to see how they become victimised and ultimately brand ‘illegals’, since many of them are innocent.

Rangesh Kaushik