Nearly 5,000 illegal workers deported after street checks

Thousands of confiscated DVD's seized by Dubai police. Nearly 5,000 illegal traders were arrested last year.

Dubai // More than 4,800 illegal street vendors, car washers and beggars were arrested last year, municipality officials say.

The municipality worked together with Dubai Police to net the illegal traders.

The offenders, who were of various nationalities, have mostly been deported after completion of their trials.

Inspectors from the municipality's Markets Administration section said they would continue spot-checking streets and public places throughout 2011 to catch individuals who break the labour law.

"As part of our monthly action plan, we are now carrying out twice daily checks across nearly 500 locations in residential and commercial areas in Deira and Bur Dubai, including Karama, Satwa, Garhoud and Al Qouz, all the way up to Jebel Ali," said Mohamed Rafiq, the Community Offences Control Supervisor.

The team of inspectors is made up of one municipality representative, two policemen and one policewoman, who are split into morning and evening shifts.

Officials said those arrested can be divided into five categories: street vendors, porters (those offering to carry bags for a fee), beggars, car washers, and illegal butchers and fish cleaners.

Out of the 4,875 arrested by police last year, 3,212 were street vendors and porters, 730 were beggars, 683 were car washers and 250 were butchers and fish cleaners.

Of the items confiscated during arrest, 290,008 were items such as clothing, shoes, perfumes and electronic equipment.

These items are transferred to storage in Umm Ramool and are then sold during auctions arranged by the municipality.

In addition, 51,187 pirated DVDs and 1,743 pornographic DVDs were confiscated.

Approximately 1,632 alcohol units were seized along with 4,366 food items.

"We give the food items, including fruits and vegetables, to charities after making sure they are safe for human consumption," said Mr Rafiq.

Last month, 576 people were arrested, including 463 street vendors, 35 beggars, 54 car washers and 24 illegal butchers and fish cleaners.

Goods seized in December included 6,484 DVD pirated films and 254 pornographic films, as well as 1,600 counterfeit products featuring fake international brands, 1,260 food items, 156 bottles of whiskey and 373 cartons of beer.

A shop manager at Karama, who did not want to be named, said he has heard of people coming to the market and attempting to sell items for which they have no licence.

"It is difficult for some to obtain the licence  because it can sometimes be easier for a certain nationality over another, but people have to go through the proper legal process.

"They should go to the municipality [and] economic department and make sure they have the proper immigration papers so they can sell things," he said.

The municipality has urged the public to call 800 900 to report any illegal trading.