UAE | Visa
More than 100 Filipinos have left under amnesty
Philippine labour authorities in the UAE are gearing up for a mass exodus of illegal Filipinos under the amnesty programme this year, which is set to surpass 2003's amnesty numbers.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:30 June 25, 2007
- Image Credit: Devadasan/Gulf News
- The Philippine Overseas Labour Office receives applications from illegal workers for outpasses.
Dubai: Philippine labour authorities in the UAE are gearing up for a mass exodus of illegal Filipinos under the amnesty programme this year, which is set to surpass 2003's amnesty numbers.
The UAE government granted an amnesty to all illegal immigrants from June 3 to September 2, waiving immigration fines and restrictions for visa overstayers and absconders under certain conditions.
More expected
Philippine government officials in the UAE told Gulf News that more than 100 Filipinos have left the country under the amnesty, and more than 500 applications have been received at the Philippine Consulate and Philippine Overseas Labour Office (Polo). About 600 Filipinos left under the 2003 amnesty programme, which lasted six months.
"As of June 24, we received 285 applications for amnesty. We started about a week ago and we already have close to 300 people. We expect more as we move closer to the deadline," said Virginia Calvez, labour attache at the Polo. She said the office only handled employment issues including illegal workers who came into the UAE with a valid employment visa but stayed on long after their visa expired, and absconding employees. Absconders seeking to make use of the amnesty must obtain a no-objection letter from their sponsor to avoid an employment ban from the UAE.
"If they are absconders, they have to negotiate with their sponsor and employers first. We will help them if they need assistance, such as going to the immigration department," she said.
Other forms of assistance include ticketing and flight booking assistance. Amnesty applicants have to bear the cost of the flight home.
As for Filipinos who have stayed in the UAE past their residence or visit visa expiration, Calvez said they must seek assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate-General in Dubai.
Rafael Palencia, Assistance for Nationals officer at the consulate, told Gulf News that the consulate has received some 300 amnesty applications.
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