Dubai: More than 184,000 illegal workers approached the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department to seek amnesty between June 2 and August 31, the department announced yesterday.

The DNRD administration has also created temporary centres to process the maximum number of amnesty applications that are pouring in. "By August 31, the administration issued 121,605 outpasses and helped regularise the status of 53,268 illegal workers. We received a total of 184,873 applications," Brigadier Mohammad Al Merri, DNRD's director-general, said yesterday.

He commended staff at the various DNRD facilities for their efforts during the amnesty period and for working during their scheduled summer holidays to assist in the nationwide campaign. Brig Al Merri also expressed his appreciation of the measures undertaken by various consulates and embassies to facilitate the amnesty process and guide illegals seeking pardon. He specially mentioned the Indian and the Egyptian consulates for their cooperation and support.

The general amnesty was extended last week to November 3. Al Merri called on illegal workers to benefit from the extension and obtain outpasses to leave the country. Brig Al Merri also expressed his gratitude to Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, for their on-ground support at various DNRD facilities.