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Ninety-seven formerly undocumented Filipino workers arrived in Manila today from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after they accepted the amnesty given by the Gulf State.
The UAE is a popular destination of Overseas Filpino Workers (OFWs). While many go through a legitimate hiring process, it’s not uncommon for Pinoys to go there on a tourist visa with the hopes of finding a job or stay even after their contract expires.
GMA News reported that the OFWs arrived on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 657 at 9:30am at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
According to an officer from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), this is the third batch of undocumented workers to arrive from the UAE.
Last month, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the DFA encouraged those who ran away from their employers or overstayed in the UAE to apply for the Gulf State’s three-month amnesty program, which will end on Oct. 31. Foreign workers who have violated the UAE’s immigration laws will not be banned from the country should they avail of the amnesty.
According to RMN, those who arrived today will be given PHP5,000-worth (US$93.34) of financial assistance by the DFA.
ABS-CBN reported that all the costs of the repatriation were paid for by the DFA.
Based on estimates of the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, there are about 643,000 Filipinos who live there, with most residing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Many foreign workers in the UAE are abused, according to the Human Rights Watch, due to the kafala system, which prevents a worker from changing jobs without the approval of their current employers. Under the system, employers are also able to take away and keep workers’ passports.
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