by Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday assured that there will be no deportation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Citing a report from the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III made the assurance amid the news circulating online that the Middle Eastern country will deport all foreign workers starting next month.
According to the article, foreign workers in 35 job categories who are over the age of 40 will be terminated and deported to give opportunity to UAE nationals, especially the young graduates, in a bid to solve the country’s unemployment problem.
Among the occupations mentioned are pharmacist, medical secretary, administrative clerk, human resource officer, receptionist, treasurer, librarian, security guard, purchasing manager, debt collector, cashier, tour guide, etc.
In a report to ILAB, Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have said that UAE officials denied the reports.
Labor Attache Alejandro Padaen of the POLO in Abu Dhabi quoted Dr. Omar Abulrahman Salem Alnuami, Assistant Secretary for Communication and International Relations of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) telling him the story is “fake news.”
Another UAE official, Asmaa Alamadani, the executive director of MOHRE’s International Bilateral Relations Department, spoke to Labor Attache Felicitas Bay of POLO Dubai, who assured her that the news is “not true at all.”
The article also circulated in other Gulf Cooperation Council countries such as Saudi Arabia and Oman.
