499 expat workers arrested in Oman

Muscat: A total of 499 expat workers were arrested in Oman in December, the Ministry of Manpower announced on Sunday.
The expats, officials said, were arrested for violating labour laws.
Authorities said that 374 commercial workers, 29 agricultural workers and 96 housemaids were among those arrested.
According to the Ministry’s online statement, "An inspection team from the Ministry of Manpower managed to arrest 499 workers in violation of the labour law and regulations between December 16 and December 22.
“After an investigation [it was found that] 213 of them were absconding workers, 253 were laid-off workers and 30 of them had no official documents,” the ministry added.
Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of violations with 311 cases, followed by South Batinah with 49 cases.
Meanwhile, 350 illegal expats were deported during this period for violating the Residence and other ministerial Laws.