3 Pinays in Dubai held for helping runaway maids

Immigration authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrested three Filipinas and an Indian for allegedly sheltering and providing work for absconding" or runaway Filipino domestic helpers. Khaleej Times said the four-member gang has been referred to the prosecution for legal action. Under UAE labor laws, holders of employment visas from other sponsors are not allowed to work part-time for any event unless permitted by the sponsor. Visit visa holders are also not allowed to work. Lt. Col. Khalaf Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General for Illegals and Foreigners’ Affairs, said in the report, “They [the maids] entered the country on work visas as domestic helpers, yet later absconded from their sponsors, and started working at different areas of the emirate on a full and part time basis." The Khaleej Times report said Dubai immigration officials had arrested 8,339 illegal residents between January 1 and September 8 this year for breaking residency rules. Al Ghaith urged UAE nationals and Dubai residents to report illegals to the ‘8005111’ hotline. - VVP, GMA News