GOVPH

PHL Embassy in Abu Dhabi Repatriates 51 Distressed OFWs

Ambassador Vingno and ATN Officers pose with wards after turning over pieces of luggage donated by the Filipino community organizations in Abu Dhabi.

05 October 2017 ABU DHABI - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi once more facilitated the repatriation of 51 kababayans on October 04. The latest batch will arrive in Manila on October 05 via Etihad Airways flights.

Two weeks ago, 79 distressed Filipinos were sent home to the Philippines on September 18 and 19. Since May 2017, 545 distressed nationals were repatriated by the Embassy.

Most of the repatriates entered the UAE on tourist visa and are victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

With the signing of the PH-UAE Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation in September 2017, as well as the signing of the Law of Domestic Workers which is expected to take effect on November 2017, the Philippine government hopes that cases of human trafficking and illegal recruitment will be minimized.

The PH-UAE MOU on Labor Cooperation is expected to strengthen the respective regulations of the two countries in combating trafficking in persons and in regulating private employment agencies, with an aim of having fair and transparent recruitment practices, as well as compliance in the process of recruiting Filipino workers for employment with the UAE laws.  The agreement is seen to potentially benefit over 700,000 Filipino workers in the UAE.

On the other hand, the Law on Domestic Workers will transfer the jurisdiction on issues relating to employment of household service workers (HSWs) from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE).  This development is expected to result to employees being given better protection and more rights in the UAE. END

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

Ambassador Vingno gives a message to the wards who will be returning to the Philippines as Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno and the new Assistant Labor Attache, Jobo Magsaysay, looks on.