DFA-OUMWA Repatriates 99 Distressed OFWs from Abu Dhabi, UAE

DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communication and Research Ernesto Abella welcomes the repatriated OFWs on their arrival.

15 February 2018 - The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) repatriated 99 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday, 14 February. The DFA-OUMWA funded the repatriation of majority of the distressed OFWs through its Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Fund.

DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella welcomed the repatriated OFWs on their arrival. He echoed the message of President Rodrigo Duterte that the government will see to it that every Filipino working abroad is treated decently.

Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Constancio R. Vingno Jr., who accompanied the repatriated OFWs from Abu Dhabi, stated that those repatriated were also provided with tool kits to help them start over with their lives. A welfare assistance of US$ 100 was also extended to each of the returning OFWs.

Majority of the repatriated OFWs were illegally recruited via social media and entered the UAE with tourist visas. Some left the Philippines through major airports while others passed through seaports in the Southern Philippines. Majority arrived in the UAE through neighboring countries. Many distressed OFWs said that as soon as they arrived in the UAE, they were locked up by their recruitment agencies to be later “sold” to various employers to work as household service workers (HSWs).   

Lacking the necessary screening or training for household work, many claimed being maltreated, overworked, or paid lower than the agreed salary forcing them to run away. Others were asked to pay an exorbitant amount for the “recruitment fees” incurred by the agencies or employers. Those who managed to escape sought help from our government agencies in the UAE and were housed in Post’s shelter until they were cleared by relevant authorities to return to the Philippines.

There is a de facto ban on the deployment of HSWs to the UAE after the cessation of the verification of HSW contracts in December 2014. The ban was set in place to protect OFWs.

In September 2017, the Philippines and the UAE inked the Agreement on Domestic Workers.

The DFA through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs continues its efforts in combatting illegal recruitment, rescuing distressed OFWs, and facilitating their safe return to the Philippines. END