The Federal National Council (FNC) announced on Tuesday that the UAE has approved an anti-begging Federal Law which aims to completely obliterate beggary in the country.
With the newly approved law, anyone who will be caught begging will be penalized with three months in jail and a Dh5,000 fine, reported Khaleej Times.
Likewise, those who will be found guilty of operating gangs of beggars will face prison time of not less than six months and a minimum fine of Dh100,000. The same penalty will be imposed to those who will be caught recruiting workers as beggars.
The maximum form of punishment will be imposed to beggars who have a source of income and are in good shape. The same goes with those who will ask people for money by faking their disabilities or illnesses.
Last year, the Ministry of Interior launched a nationwide program to control beggary before Ramadan.
In the first half of Ramadan in 2017, a total of 207 beggars were nabbed in Abu Dhabi, while at least 65 beggars, including 10 women, were caught in Dubai.
