PHL Embassy in Abu Dhabi Repatriates 79 Distressed OFWs

Ambassador Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. gives a message and extends his good wishes to the overseas Filipinos (OFs) who were repatriated, before they were turned over to immigration authorities for the processing of clearances and issuance of exit passes.

22 September 2017 ABU DHABI - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi facilitated the repatriation of 79 distressed Filipinos to the Philippines on September 18 to 19, bringing the total number of repatriated distressed OFs to 494 since May 2017. 

The latest batches of distressed OFWs who were repatriated left Abu Dhabi via the Gulf Air and Etihad Airways. 38 of those repatriated were the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) wards while 41 were walk-in clients who had immigration issues (e.g. overstaying, absconding).

The said OFWs are mostly household service workers (HSWs) who were victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, and who ran away from their employers due to maltreatment, being overworked, involuntary detention, and non-payment of salaries. 

While some left the Philippines through major airports, others passed through seaports in Mindanao, or traveled as tourists, then passed by other neighboring countries before arriving at the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  An increasing number of OFWs have also been recruited through social media.

The Embassy processed the necessary documents and made representations with immigration authorities in Abu Dhabi for the issuance of clearances and exit passes. END

For more information, visit www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/PHinUAE.

The Embassy rented two buses to facilitate the transfer of overseas Filipinos (OFs) who were repatriated from the Embassy to the deportation center, and the airport. The OFs were divided into two batches which left via Gulf Air and Etihad Airways.