The weekly report of the joint inspection team at the Ministry of Manpower said the number of workers held for violating the Labour Law during January 24-30 stood at 331, including 276 commercial workers, 31 farm workers and 24 housemaids and their equivalents. The inspection teams caught 321 workers, including 130 absconding, 178 illegal and 13 workers with other violations. The Governorate of Muscat witnessed the largest number of workers violating the law with 168 followed by the Governorate of North Al Batinah with 56 workers. The competent authorities at the Ministry of Manpower are taking legal proceedings against them. On the other hand, the Manpower Ministry statistics showed that 226 expatriate workers were deported for violating provisions of the Labour Law and the ministerial decisions executing the law. — ONA