Abu Dhabi: The visiting Philippines Vice-President Jejomar Binay said he has made the arrangements to repatriate 36 undocumented Filipino workers from the UAE.
Speaking at a press conference at the Philippine Embassy in the capital on Thursday evening, Binay said 28 undocumented workers are from Dubai and eight from Abu Dhabi. They will be repatriated soon, and the expenses will be met by the Philippines Government, he said.
The vice-president said some of them came here on visit visas and took jobs while others did not have proper documents to stay and work here. Binay, who is also the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' Concerns, said he was satisfied with the living conditions of his compatriots in the UAE. "About 90 per cent are happy here," he said.
"As the chairman of anti-human trafficking council, I am meeting the officials of all Philippines agencies working for the overseas Filipino workers frequently," Binay said. "So I am aware of the situation of overseas Filipinos," he said.
He said the Philippines is seeking investments from the UAE in various sectors including agriculture. Binay said he had a meeting with the Ajman ruler during his visit to the northern emirates and it was satisfactory. He said it was his second visit to the UAE and he is satisfied with the ties between the two nations. "I had visited the UAE about six years ago."
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has been witnessing big rush for the renewal of passports during the past few weeks, an embassy official said. It is because of a large number of applicants from Dubai, Jose V. Jacob, First Secretary and Consul at the embassy, said.
Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay said the UAE and Philippines are working together to stop human trafficking. The recent conviction of three Filipinos involved in human trafficking by the Abu Dhabi court was a good example in this regard, Binay said.
He was referring to the case in which a Filipina charged with running a human trafficking ring in the capital was sentenced to 13 years and seven months in jail and also fined Dh50,000 by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance in October 2010. M.F. the Filipina was also charged with possession and sale of alcohol, employing people not under her sponsorship and encouraging prostitution.
Another defendant, J.M. who was charged with trafficking, encouraging prostitution and working illegally received a sentence of three years. E.B. a third defendant, was also sentenced to three years in jail for human trafficking and prostitution. Fourteen other women accused of prostitution in the same case received jail terms of three years.
Conviction: Cooperation to fight human trafficking
