35 distressed Pinay workers arrive home from UAE

Thirty-five distressed Filipina workers who complained of “deplorable working conditions" were repatriated from the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In a release posted on its website, the DFA said the Filipina workers, repatriated by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in two batches. The first batch of 20 arrived early Wednesday morning, while the second batch of 15 arrived before noon on the same day, both aboard Gulf Air flights. “The female workers sought refuge at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Dubai after they could no longer endure their deplorable working conditions," the DFA said. According to the DFA, the Consulate General arranged the workers’ repatriation, in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). The return tickets of the Filipina workers were sourced from the DFA's Assistance to Nationals Fund, while the POLO shouldered their immigration costs and visa penalties. Upon their arrival at the airport, the Filipina workers were met by officials from the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs and the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA). “The DFA continues to work closely with the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world to facilitate the repatriation of other distressed Filipinos overseas," the DFA said in the release.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV