97 undocumented workers arrive; granted amnesty by UAE

Ninety-seven undocumented Filipinos arrived in Manila yesterday after being granted amnesty by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Philippine Consul General Raymond Cortez said the 97 Filipinos, who arrived Wednesday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Philippine Airlines flight PR659, comprises the third batch of undocumented Filipino nationals who availed of the amnesty program of the UAE government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it shouldered most of the expenses of the returnees, including exit fines and other penalties, airline tickets to Manila and transport to their respective provinces.

A cash dole-out of US$100 (about Php5,300) was given to each Filipino repatriate.

Cortes said the Consulate General continues to encourage qualified Filipinos to avail themselves of the program and assured them that the consulate and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi are ready to assist all those who wish to return to the Philippines under this program.

On August 1, the UAE government has unveiled a three-month amnesty for all undocumented foreign nationals who are illegally staying in the Gulf state.

The said programs allow illegal foreign nationals to exit the UAE without penalty or they could apply for a six-month visa to enable them to seek new employment.

For those who will be able to seek a six-month visa, the UAE government will reportedly give them priority for job openings.