UAE | Visa
Movie cited as factor in increasing visit visa violations
Unscrupulous travel agents hoodwink job-seekers with easy availability of work, just as in the film
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 April 8, 2006
Dubai: There is a rise in the number of Filipino job-seekers working illegally in the UAE on visit visas to achieve the easy life portrayed in last year's Filipino movie Dubai.
Dubai, the movie, opened late last year to audiences in the Philippines and other countries, including the UAE. Many have criticised the movie as painting an unrealistically rosy picture of life for the average Filipino worker.
Rafael Palencia, an officer in charge of assisting Philippine nationals, told Gulf News that an estimated 600 to 700 Filipinos are now entering the UAE daily, most of whom seek jobs. He said last year's figures were between 400 and 500 people daily. "The movie had something to do with that," he said.
He added that the consulate's workload in dealing with visit visa violations and problems associated with it has doubled as a result. Up to seven Philippine visit visa violators have also been deported in two weeks.
Some are "willing victims" while others are victimised by unscrupulous employers, who tell the Filipinos to work on their visit visa during the probationary period, Palencia said. The increase in arrivals and visit visa violations has prompted the consulate to renew their warning to travel agents in Manila to remind visit visa holders that they were not allowed to work on the visa.
Filipino social organisations said although the movie was not totally to blame, when coupled with unscrupulous travel agents and high unemployment rate, it has turned Dubai into "the promised land" for many Filipinos.
Yankee Mellijor, president of the Bisdak Association which helps visit visa holders find legitimate work in the UAE, told Gulf News that many agents and recruiters cite the movie when selling visit visas to Filipino job-seekers.
"I have spoken to a few people who said the agents told them how nice Dubai was, how easy it was to find a job, how much money they can make just like in the movie," he said.
He added that not many Filipinos would find the job that would give them the lifestyle they see in the movie.
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