58 OFWs stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi amid Iran-Israel conflict

Israeli air defense systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on June 17, the fifth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-eight Overseas Filipino Workers remain stranded in transit hubs in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

In a press conference on Thursday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services Felicitas Bay said the affected transit hubs are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“The total that we mentioned earlier is 48 plus the 10 from Abu Dhabi which we are still arranging… but of the 10, four will be arriving [in the Philippines] this afternoon,” said Bay.

READ: 7 Filipinos hurt in Iran missile strikes on Israel – PH embassy

According to her, these Filipino workers were assisted by the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Some were accommodated in hotels, while others were repatriated through arrangements made separately by their airlines and the DMW.

For his part, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the stranded Filipino workers had traveled at the height of the conflict in the Middle East.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, previously expressed grave concern over heightened tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, calling for de-escalation and peace.

READ: Israel, Iran trade strikes as conflict escalates – Live Updates

In a separate report on Thursday, the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said seven Filipinos were injured after Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks against Israel.

But it was Israel that first carried out strikes against Iran on June 13 targeting its nuclear and military sites, after US President Donald Trump warned of a possible “massive conflict” in the region. /dl