Asian embassies in Oman have accelerated their campaign to ensure that illegal workers are sent home before the eight-week amnesty granted by the government expires on June 19, reported the Gulf News on Sunday.
"We are using all publicity means to persuade our illegal compatriots to legalize their status, or go home before the deadline of the Omani government," a spokesman of the Philippines embassy said.
"Our intensive campaign includes distribution of leaflets at different community centers," he told the paper.
He said the trouble with such hard-pressed, low-paid people was that they were hoping against hope they could somehow stay on, because they believed there were no job opportunities at home. "They are the kind of people who are praying for miracles to happen."
The spokesman said conservative estimates put the Filipino population in Oman at 7,000, of whom 60 to 70 percent were housemaids, although the unofficial figure was 20,000.
He said 300 to 500 people fell into the category of illegal workers, but only 10 had been issued emergency certificates so far – Albawaba.com
