Abu Dhabi, April 25 (IANS/WAM) United Arab Emirates (UAE) has apprehended 1,094 housemaids, mostly foreign nationals, who had been absconding from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah emirates.

The housemaids were apprehended after intensive raids by teams of the Violators and Foreigners Follow up Section of the interior ministry.

It did not give the nationality of these housemaids.

Nasser Al Awadhi Al Minhali, acting assistant undersecretary for naturalisation, residency and ports affairs at the ministry, said the crackdown on absconding housemaids would continue.

He said the ministry is currently coordinating with the concerned embassies and consulates to facilitate the deportation of the housemaids to their respective countries.

The authorities have apprehended 582 housemaids in Abu Dhabi, 242 in Al Ain and 270 in Sharjah in the first four months of this year.

Housemaids, who run away to get employment elsewhere illegally, become vulnerable to exploitation, an official said.