DFA Brings Home 106 Distressed OFWs from UAE, Reiterates Warning Against Human Trafficking

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) brought home 106 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.

Airport assistance by various government agencies, including packages and financial assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and legal advice by the Department of Justice (DOJ), were likewise provided.

The DFA also reiterated its warning against human trafficking, stressing how many Filipinos leave the country using short-term visit visas, and are promised to be issued with work visas by illegal recruiters and traffickers but end up overworked, maltreated, and with job contracts violated by their employers.

Since January 2019, more than 5,000 Filipinos have been repatriated from the UAE alone, costing the Philippine government over P135.34 million. Last year, the repatriation of 5,842 OFWs from Dubai and 3,533 from Abu Dhabi amounted to P175.21 million.

The DFA shares the maintenance and operating costs of the government shelters in the UAE, and pays for the exit visas and airfares to Manila and respective home provinces of those repatriated.

In accordance with the one-country team approach, the DFA continues to work closely with its partner agencies in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to provide more efficient and effective government services to the public.

A similar inter-agency program was held to welcome 158 distressed Filipinos from the UAE last 06 October 2019. (DFA PR)