106 distressed OFWs from UAE return home

Some 106 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived home Saturday. They were provided financial assistance and transport allowance to their respective provinces. PHOTO FROM: DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Some 106 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived home Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Sunday.

The OFWs were provided financial assistance and legal advice from various government offices. Their airfares and transportation expenses to their respective provinces, meanwhile, were shouldered by the DFA.

The foreign affairs department renewed its reminder to aspiring OFWs on the risks of human trafficking, explaining that some Filipinos are employed abroad using short-term visit visas as illegal recruiters and traffickers would promise them working visas upon their arrival.

The OFWs, however, only end up overworked and maltreated, with their employers violating their employment contracts.

The DFA assured that they are working with their partner agencies in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

As per data from the DFA, more than 5,000 OFWs have returned home from UAE since January 2019.

In 2018, 5,832 OFWs were repatriated from Dubai while 3,533 returned home from Abu Dhabi. /je