Coronavirus outbreak: UAE mulling over labourer ties with countries refusing to repatriate citizens

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considering to reconstitute its cooperation and labourer relations with countries that have refused to repatriate their citizens during the coronavirus outbreak.

The UAE’s move comes after a number of countries did not respond to requestsby their nationals to return home following the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 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 said that the options are currently being studied 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. An official from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) stated that 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 got 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 to send them back to their homeland. Then, the diplomatic officials informed the infuriated Pakistanis to stay calmly in the Emirates. The UAE authorities stressed the urgency of partner countries assuming their responsibilities towards their nationals working in the UAE who wish to return to their home countries.