Media Monitor - 18 October 2004
Journalist Ali-Reza Jabari released after more than 18 months in prison
Reporters Without Borders welcomed the release on 14 October 2004 of Ali-Reza Jabari, contributor to several newspapers, after more than 18 months in prison.The worldwide press freedom organisation said that international pressure and a campaign by Chilean author Isabel Allende were responsible for the decision to free Jabari who, despite being more than 60 years old and suffering heart trouble, received 174 lashes in detention.Isabel Allende had lobbied the highest authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to secure the ailing journalist's early release, said Reporters Without Borders.Jabari was sentenced on 19 April 2003 to four years in prison, 253 lashes and a fine of six million Rials (about 1,000 euros) for "drinking and distributing alcoholic drinks, adultery and incitement to immoral acts", a charge regularly used against secular figures. Jabari is an outspoken commentator who writes for the monthly
Adineh and a member of the Iranian Writers Association.Gold Jewellery Exports Cross $ 1 billion this year
Exports of gold jewellery from India crossed US $ one billion in five months (April-August) of the current financial year 2004-2005, having increased by a record 141 % to reach a figure of US $ 1007.14 million ( i.e., $ I billion ) as against US $ 416.96 million worth of exports during the corresponding period of the last financial year 2003-2004. This was indicated by Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce and Industry, at the inauguration of India’s largest gold and jewellery show – “Festival of Gold 2004” – here today.
The Festival, which will be on for a week (18-24,2004), is being organised by MMTC Limited, India’s leading bullion trader and a Government of India enterprise. Shri S.D. Kapoor, Chairman and Managing Director, MMTC, was present along with senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and MMTC, besides the Bollywood actress, Ms. Dia Mirza, who displayed some of the most vibrant and scintillating creations. The varieties of gold and precious stone jewellery at the exhibition, the seventh in the series, are all hallmarked and certified for purity by MMTC.
Shri S. D. Kapoor said that “the forum provided by the company is a tribute to the famed artisans from different parts of the country with the sole objective of reaching their craft to the customers with the guarantee of purity and trust from MMTC”. The Indian jewellery market is growing at the rate of 15 to 20 % each year. Timed in sync with the festive season, the Festival of Gold is an exciting opportunity for traders and consumers alike to transact in a large range of precious stones and semi-precious jewellery, hallmarked for quality and purity. The exhibition is being supported by the World Gold Council (WGC).
Visit Visa Racket Still Rampant in Dubai : KM Bureau Dubai
Workers of More Safety and Security Want Protection from Company owner
DUBAI -October 16 2004 About 52 workers of More Safety and Security, a one and half years old company specialising in fire safety and firefighting work for big companies, are craving for their own safe return to India as the company owner has allegedly failed to convert their visit visas into employment visas or pay their salary from April 2004. Jaya Prakash Nair, the company owner who himself was allegedly working in Dubaias an illegal worker for one and half years, is now pleading innocence and said he is not getting his own salary. Many of the Keralites working for the company said they have paid huge amounts ranging from Dhs.6000 to Dhs.7000 to get a job in the newly formed company. Revealing one more case of illegal trading of visa and illegal employment of visit visa holders in the construction sector, the workers have sought emergency support from the Indian consulate General, NORKA and the local media. About 25 workers of the company are working with visit visa. There are many such companies which offer a cheap source of labour to big companies without corresponding liabilities.
"The company's main man, J.P.Nair promised us jobs in his company as technicians and fitters. He took Dhs.6000 which was paid through a friend. Many expatriates in the UAE have been victimized in this vicious circle of visit visa racket. Now we realize that the company has no valid license and the manner in which such a small company got so many visit visas is under scrutiny," said one of the victims. The workers who have assembled in front of the CG office here said they face a bleak future as the rooms where they have been accommodated in Sharjah will have to be vacated for non payment of rent and their water electricity and food supply is going to be stopped.
"It is only a 15 months old company. Before the new company was formed the owner was working for another company Tasmech, which faced similar problems. Now that company is transferred to another owner," added workers. "We were offered Dhs.1500 per month as salary, but after coming here the company offered Dhs.4 to Dhs.6 per hour," workers alleged. "He has collected money and advised us to come on visit visas which would be converted into employment visas within fifteen days. Now after one year most of us are still working as illegal workers," said Prakash Nair from Vazhuthakkadu.
"After the workers problem appeared in the Gulf Round Up Programme of Asianet, he stopped food and the land lord has asked us to vacate the house by October 20. With the intervention of CG, food and accommodation is extended up to 30th . Now he says there is no money and that he is only a manager of the company," added workers. The company is under the sponsorship of a local citizen, working for the Labour Department. Many people from Kerala are trapped in this visit visa racket. It is learned that workers from Tamil Nadu are also brought on visit visa to work in various projects. Some of the prestigious companies for which the culprit has supplied labour include Juma Al Majid, New Burjman Center, National Karafi and the Golf Club project.
As promised by Jayaparakash, some employees have been issued employement visa but the visa could not be stamped on their passports due to unknown reason. "Either we want to go home or work here with regular payment," workers demanded. They approached the Indian embassy earlier, but nothing could be done by the embassy official. This time, due to pressure from media, the CG has called the culprit for discussion. However, the sponsor has said he will be able to come to the embassy only on October 30 and the workers payment problem will be discussed only the.
Satheesh from Kannur has paid Dhs.5500 to get the visit visa through a friend of his brother in law. Similarly, the visa charge is paid through friends and relatives who are working in Dubai. Same is the case with John from Kidangannoor and Shaji who earlier worked with Tesmach, another company in which Mr. Nair worked earlier. J P Nair has been using intimidation tactics, abusive languages and physical threat to silence agitated workers. "We don't know whether he has got any office. We haven't seen the company's office," said another worker. It is learned that a temporary company office was made probably to get visa clearance. Workers also alleged that the company has been regularly getting bills in lieu of the work completed for big companies like Juma Al Majid.
All the passports and return tickets are held by Mr.Nair from Vazhuthakkadu in Trivandrum. He has also taken money for making duplicate certificates. "Some technical workers without certificates are recruited with a promise that duplicate certificates will be issued. He has ollected Dhs.500 from them for making duplicate certificates," added workers. Those who got genuine certificates attested in India have handed over the same to JP. The mute question is how can companies without Limited Liability Status can get so many visit visas? Apparently the company is controlled by a labour office employee who arranges visit and employment visas?
Life has been miserable for some workers who have approached the emigration and labour departments with complaints,. "When other workers leave the room, they stop water and electricity supply to the room where we are living. We have been living in this condition for the last three months," said one of the victims. In addition, 52 workers are now accommodated in three rooms. In each room there are 14 to 16 people. There are eight double ducker coats in each room and there hardly any space for sitting. Through the narrow gap between two coats, one person can move with great difficulty. "The main problem is non payment of salary. If salary was regular, nobody would have noticed the illegal status of workers because there is no labour check in construction sites of major companies like Juma Al Majid. "Whether a worker is caught 1 day of 10 years after his visa expired, there is only Dhs. 500 fine," added workers.
Who should be blamed for this predicament? The workers relatives who know the culprit's track record should be the first to be blamed. Knowing well that the man's track record is such, why did they pay the money? Getting a job in the Gulf is the dream of many in India, but before jumping into such traps they should think seriously. "Now the culprit has said before the embassy officials that he did not take any money from the workers. Many of them don't have any proof to state that money was paid. One thing is sure. This is not the first or last visa racket. The only solution is that the victims be more careful. There is no meaning in blaming the racketeers or the embassy. It is your money and your life that gets spoiled. So think thrice, not twice, before handing over money, passport or certificates to people who come with such sweet promises.
PASSPORT COLLECTION CENTRE AT JHUNJHUNU, RAJASTHAN
A Passport Collection Centre is to be opened at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. It has been approved by the Central Government. The Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri Sis Ram Ola, took the initiative for this. He has described it as a significant step for the inhabitants of Jhunjhunu district in particular from where a large number of labourers go to the West Asian countries for jobs. The educated people from the district also go abroad for trade and higher education. They have to travel to Delhi or Jaipur for passports. Once the Passport Collection Centre becomes operational in Jhunjhunu they would not have to face the ordeal, he said.The proposed Passport Collection Centre at Jhunjhunu would also serve the people living in Churu, Sujangarh and Ganganagar districts of the state.MAURITIUS MINISTER SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF TAMIL CULTURE
The Mauritius Art and Culture Minister, Mr. Motee Ramdass today called on the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss and sought his help in the promotion of the Tamil art and culture in the island nation. The Mauritius Minister was accompanied by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of Tamil Cultural Centre Trust. The delegation explained to the Minister that there was a vibrant Tamil population in the island and the younger generation was unaware of the origin of Tamil culture although they were initiated into singing of Tamil kirtans and songs in schools.The Tamil Culture Trust sought the help of the Minister in promoting Tamil art, culture and language. They wanted that the Tamil music schools should be accredited to a university of Tamilnadu so that proper degrees could be awarded. The delegation also sought the assistance of the Minister in setting up of a world class eye care hospital. Dr. Ramadoss promised the delegation that all assistance would be extended by his party as also the other partners in the DPA Alliance in Tamilnadu. He informed the delegation that the leader of his party organizes a function every year to felicitate Tamil writers and leaders all over the world. The parties in the DPA Alliance in Tamilnadu had convinced the Centre on the importance of Tamil and it had recently been declared as a classical language.
VIETNAM SHOWS KEEN INTEREST IN INDIAN BUDDHIST SITES
Vietnam has shown keen interest in Indian Buddhist sites. To facilitate visit of Vietnamese in larger groups, both the countries will consider possibilities of direct airlink and other measures required. This was decided in bilateral talks between Ms. Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Tourism and Ms Vo Thi Thang, Minister for Tourism of Vietnam, here today.Both the sides also agreed to exchange tour operators, travel writers and expertise in other areas of tourism. Several measures for promotion of bilateral cooperation in tourism were discussed during the meeting. Ms. Renuka Chowdhury said that India gives very high priority to south Asian countries in tourism promotion, as there are strong cultural bonds with these countries. Exchange of tourists will further strengthen these bonds. She said that India has already allowed unrestricted flights from Vietnam to facilitate tourists as a part of initiatives taken to increase connectivity with ASEAN countries. She also announced that India would provide human resource development training and IT expertise to Vietnam in the area of tourism. She expressed desire to have Vietnamese expertise in the area of marine tourism.
Vietnamese Minister said that Indian Buddhist sites are very popular destination. Vietnam is looking up at more tourism opportunities with India by increase connectivity and exchange of tourism expertise, she added. She announced that very soon Vietnam would hold road shows in various Indian cities and invite travel writers. She said that her country has decided to give high focus to India in its tourism promotion plans.
Another milestone for KM reporting - Visa Agent involved in the case below is n Police Custody at Kanooor --KM Special watch this space.
KM Exclusive Real World Face of Faiz: Agent dupes Unemployed Youth from Kerala: Charges Rs.1.5 lakhs for Visit visas which cost just Rs.5000!
Real World, a company with operations in Dubai and Bombay (Dongri) is responsible for duping hundreds of Keralites from different parts of the state. KM investigation revealed that the main culprit behind these operations remain anonymous. The man pictured here -one Mr. Faizal from Bombay - has allegedly duped many Keralites by offering lucrative job in the Gulf in return for Rs,.1.5 lakh from each candidate. Real World Importers and Exporters, Real World Manpower Consultants and other names are used to lure customers through a network of agents and sub agents. The visa racket members are known in different names in different places but their original identity is known to some. It is learned that a leading visa racket member is running a hotel at Mukkam Kozhikkodu. The racket has the blessings of some Emigration officials in Dubai who help the agents to remove names of visit visa holders without their actual exit from the country. According to KM investigation, while selling a visit visa, the agents give an option for two types of visas .One type costing more will enable you to become "Kalli Valli", which means becoming an illegal emigrant in the UAE without an intention to leave after three months . "When you buy a kalli valli" visit visa for Dhs.3000 the agent makes sure that the visa holders record is removed from the official computer system of the UAE Emigration Department. The Emigration officer gets Dhs.500 for each visa "exited" from the system. Even though computer records show that the person has exited from the UAE, physically they continue to remain within the UAE . Despite two amnesty schemes announced in the last two years, the number of Asian illegal migrants in the UAE is very high. They provide a cheap source of labour for the mushrooming construction projects and companies. Even those illegal expatriates who are banned from entering the country within six months get free entry through a special package. Normally a banned person's records are stamped on the passport. However, the agents will ensure that some special officer on duty will neglect the "ban stamp" and escort such travellers to get out of the airport safely. The eye scanning introduced in the airport is useful to some extent, but still the fraud is going on. These operators have close links to the sex racket. There are many other trade secrets that boost the multimillion visa trade ..Watch this space.
Seven men held in Dubai for running EU visa counterfeiting racket
October 2, 2004 Seven men, including five Pakistani nationals, a naturalised Spanish citizen and a person whose nationality is yet to be determined are being held by Dubai law enforcement agencies for allegedly running a racket counterfeiting EU visas to travel to Europe, after Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) officials foiled the attempt by a member of the group to travel to France via Dubai International Airport (DIA) on a fake visa. The gang members were netted following a series of raids conducted by law enforcement authorities in Dubai on apartments in Al Baraha and several other locations in Deira used by these men, based on the information gathered from two men who were detained at DIA More
Kerala Couple Sells Business Visa to Unemployed Keralites for more than 1 Lakh
DUBAI - Another Kerala couple is engaged in visit visa racket. Operating from Kerala and Ajman, the couple brought about 14 Keralite youth on visit visa on the assumption that their visa will be converted into employment visas after coming to Dubai. However, once they land here, there is no escape from the viscious circle - they become illegal workers. After failing in many businesses including fruits and vegetables, the husband is now looking after the visa business which is very lucrative -- Watch out.
DNRD calls on the public to be vigilant against visa confidence tricksters
Recent investigation reveals networks involved in the production and possession
of fake visas with the intention of saleAugust 21, 2004
The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has appealed to the general public to be increasingly vigilant against groups involved in the production and sale of counterfeit visas for entry into the UAE. Recent investigations conducted by Investigation and Control section at Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, lifted the lid on groups
engaged in the production and sale of fake employment and visit visas. The members of these groups befriend individuals and offer them a chance to buy an employment or a visit visa. They then print the details of the person seeking entry into the UAE on a fake blank pink colour visa sheet and sell the fake document at rates between Dhs 3500 to Dhs 5000. Authorities
had recently apprehended individuals involved in the racket and recovered 58 fake visas and Dhs 39,900 in cash from them.MoreUAE Recruiting Agents engage in dubious visa Trade: UAE Official
Recruitment agencies in the UAE adopt dubious means to trade in employment visas, revealed the UAE Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. In an exclusive report, the Khaleej Times reported that issuing licences for recruiting agencies is based on the condition that only UAE nationals can set up such agencies. There are strict conditions like furnishing bank guarantee of Dh100,000 and a fee of Dh10,000 for the annual renewal of recruiting agency licence. It may be noted that issuing visit and job visas for a price and bringing workers to various Gulf countries without proper job is a common practice in the Gulf region. Many recruiting agents with their network in India lure innocent workers and sell visas. Many of the company which obtain visas in this fashion are only existing on paper. More
