UAE considering imposing restrictions on countries refusing to repatriate citizens amid virus outbreak

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considering to restructure its cooperation and labour relations with countries refusing to repatriate their citizens during the coronavirus outbreak, reported The News. 

The UAE’s move comes after several countries did not respond to requests by their nationals to return home following the COVID-19 spread. 

Ironically Pakistan, India and Philippines have not indicated yet to repatriate their stranded citizens from the Emirates even after several notifications.

In the statement released by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), options that are currently being considered include the halting of any memoranda of understanding between the ministry and the concerned authorities of non-cooperative countries, as well as the introduction of restrictions or quotas for future recruitment. 

Many political analysts say that the outbreak of coronavirus is not only impacting economic relations of countries but diplomatic alliances too.

Coronavirus renders 10,000 Pakistanis jobless in UAE: official

An MoHRE official said it may suspend agreements with countries that have not responded to repatriation requests from citizens who worked in the private sector in the UAE but wanted to return home after they lost their jobs or were asked to take leave by their employers.

More than 35,000 Pakistani nationals have already registered with the diplomatic mission in the UAE seeking a way to get back to their homeland but the Pakistan government is not launching its limited flights operations for repatriations.

On Sunday, more than 50 stranded Pakistanis once again gathered outside the Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai and the diplomatic mission demanding they be sent back home. The diplomatic officials informed them to stay in the country.

The UAE authorities have stressed the urgency of partner countries assuming their responsibilities towards their nationals working in the Gulf states who wish to return to their home countries.

Read also: Thousands of Pakistanis in UAE seek to return home amid coronavirus outbreak

Pakistan is a big labour supplier to the UAE, with more than a million Pakistanis living and working in the country, according to diplomats.

Since March, Dubai has been under lockdown as the UAE has ramped up measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In March, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division Moeed Yusuf had assured the nation that the government was in touch with the authorities of those countries where Pakistani passengers are stuck in transit.