An Indian family which had been living illicitly in the United Arab Emirates for 30 years lacking valid identification can now start their life anew as four of their five grown-up children received their passports, Khaleej Times reported.
Indian expat Madhusudhanan, 60, along with his wife and four children – Sangeetha, 25; Shanthi, 23; Gauri, 22; and Mithun, 21 – had been staying illegally in the UAE for 30 years without a residence permit. His children’s passports had expired in 2012.
After his children received their passport on October 22, he told the newspaper that “can now breathe freely” and follow their dream of getting a job.
“They don’t have to live in fear anymore. For almost three decades, my children lived as prisoners inside their own house. Now, they can live freely and pursue their dream of getting a job in the UAE. It is like a rebirth for them,” the Indian expat was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
An official at the Indian Consulate in Delhi, Prem Chand confirmed the news that four passports were handed over to Madhusudhanan.
The newspaper quoted him saying, “Now, they can apply for a work permit without any legal impediments.”
While four his children got their passports, Madhusudhan’s eldest daughter Aswathy, 29, is yet to get hers.
“That is the next struggle. But I will not give up till my wife and all my children can live as legal residents in the UAE,” Khaleej Times reported Madhusudhanan as saying.
According to Chand, since Aswathy was born in Al Ain, the Indian kin will have to get in touch with the ministry in Abu Dhabi and register her birth there along with applying for her passport in the similar domain.
The Indian expat also said that his wife who hails from Sri Lanka will get her passport on October 29.
Talking about his experience, Madhusudhanan told the publication that he came to UAE in 1979 as a blue-collar worker and got married in 1988. He said “We had our first child in 1989. I lost my job in the same year and hence could not apply for her passport. In 1992, when we had our second child, my wife lost her job, and because of the mother’s illegal status, it was not possible to apply for our child’s passport.”
Coupled with the continuous fear of arrest and deportation, the Indian expat had to work as a heavy vehicle operator until 2017 to earn enough to feed his family. Talking about his declining age, he said, “My health is deteriorating. But we have new hope. Following the media reports about our situation, many people had come forward and offered jobs to my children. Though they do not have formal education, all of them can read, write and speak English.”
Madhusudhanan as well expressed about his aim of having the six-month temporary visa for the children under the current visa amnesty scheme which concludes on October 29.
The UAE launched a visa amnesty program on August 1, to enable foreign workers overstaying their permits to leave the country without paying any penalty or undergoing imprisonment. It will also let workers look for a new job within the time period.
“The timing is just perfect for them. Now, my worry is about Ashwathy. Her application is still pending with the consulate,” the publication quoted Madhusudhanan as telling.
-Sowmya Sangam
