RP repatriates 39 workers from Dubai

Thirty-nine female overseas Filipino workers from Dubai, most of whom ran away from their employers, arrived in Manila on Saturday after being repatriated by the Philippine government. In a statement posted on the Web site of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, administrator Carmelita Dimzon said three others remain held by immigration authorities in Dubai. OWWA welfare officers in Dubai are checking with Dubai immigration the reasons for holding the departure of the three OFWs, Dimzon said. The 39 arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 2:30 p.m. OWWA said the OFWs were mosty runaway workers whose foreign employers issued exit clearances only recently. Immigration laws of Dubai allow migrant workers to leave the host country only if they have clearances. The OWWA repatriation team in Manila assisted the repatriated workers at the airport in clearing immigration procedures, according to the agency. The workers are temporarily staying at the OWWA Halfway House pending arrival of relatives or departure for their provinces. - Jerrie Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV