45 more Filipinos repatriated from UAE

Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The second batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated under the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) amnesty program arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers said.

This batch was composed of 17 OFWs with three children from Dubai and 25 OFWs from Abu Dhabi. The first batch of 67 repatriates arrived last week.

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The latest batch brings to 103 OFWs and five child returnees the total of Filipinos repatriated from the UAE.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said last week that most of the repatriates ran away from their employers and were unable to secure permanent employment and overstayed in the UAE beyond the period of their original employment contracts.

Some overstayed for six to 12 years, according to the DFA. —Jacob Lazaro