Report: RP takes custody of 46 distressed OFWs in UAE

Philippine officials in the United Arab Emirates have taken custody of 46 out of 86 distressed Filipina cleaners abandoned by their employer in Dubai. The 46 were released to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) a day after they were arrested in a raid on their villa last Wednesday. "The 46 workers will continue to stay at the (POLO center) until their cases with the Ministry of Labor and the Dubai Court are over," Philippine Labor Attaché lawyer Amilhassan Amilbahar said in an article posted on UAE news site Khaleej Times Sunday. UAE immigration officials took the 46 to the Ajman Immigration office after a raid on their villa past midnight last Wednesday. The raid stemmed from complaints from neighbors, the Khaleej Times report said. Amilbahar and Vice Consul Edwin Mendoza were sent to Ajman on orders of the Philippine Consulate General early Thursday morning to verify the reported raid. Once the Court papers were presented at the Ajman Immigration, Captain Omar Ali of the Immigration Department sent the workers to the Dubai Immigration Detention Cell in Al Aweer. But upon representation by Amilbahar, Capt. Obeid Mohd Al Sweidi, head at the Dubai Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD) Detention Cell in Al Aweer, and his deputy, Lt. Yusef Abdulla, released the workers to the custody of the POLO late Thursday afternoon. “Capt. Al Sweidi approved the request after knowing that we have a Center for distressed workers and that lady welfare officers live with the workers to supervise their stay there," said Amilbahar. On the other hand, the remaining workers are temporarily sheltered by relatives and friends in Dubai, following the disconnection of water and electricity at their villa in Ajman on September 13. They were expected to report to the POLO center starting last Friday. Accounts from the workers reveal that they were sleeping when the raid took place. "We were surprised to see two lady officers in Abaya and four men, directing flashlights and shouting at us," said one of the workers. Maria Elena and Joanna, two victims, said they were all sleeping in the front yard because it was too hot inside. “The officers demanded for our papers and we presented them." they said. Assistant Labor Attaché Venus Abad led a team to the villa in Ajman to take and sift the personal belongings of the Filipino cleaners. This was done in the presence of the villa owner, Said Murad Mohamed Abdullah of Al Jarwan Real Estate Est. Saturday morning. For its part, the Filipino Community (FILCOM) provided free transport. - RSJ, GMANews.TV