Main News

Filipinos among those given reprieve

MANILA

The United Arab Emirates cabinet has agreed to
grant a three-month amnesty to all illegal foreigners
in the country.

It has also given them the opportunity to legalise
their status or leave the country without penalty, the
Department of Foreign Affairs reported.

“The decision of the UAE cabinet, chaired by His
Highness Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed to ensure that all
legal workers would enjoy the full and appropriate
benefits relating to their salaries, health care and
housing,” acting head of post Vicente Vivencio
Bandillo of the Philippine consulate general in
Dubai, UAE said in his report to the DFA.

He said the cabinet had already directed the
ministries of interior and labor to work together to
take the necessary steps to implement the decision.

“Hours after the news about this amnesty came out
in the leading newspapers, the consulate received
numerous phone calls from Filipinos asking about
the amnesty,” he said.

Some have even started to appear at the consulate
to inquire and apply for travel documents,” Bandillo
said.

He also said the decision of the host government
would surely benefit a significant number of
Filipinos in the UAE who arrived with visit visas but
eventually stayed in the country illegally.

“It would also benefit as well those who could not
leave the country for fear of being apprehended by
immigration authorities or could not afford to pay the
fines or penalties for overstaying,” he added.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Claro Cristobal said the
amnesty program would not be immediately
implemented because the guidelines are yet to be
established.

Hours after the
news about this
amnesty came out
in the leading
newspapers, the
consulate received
numerous phone
calls from Filipinos
asking about the
amnesty

back to top