ON the eve of the deadline of the two-month amnesty program of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 48 more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated yesterday (Wednesday).
In a social media post, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced the arrival of 48 OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 via Flight PR659.
“Our repatriation operations for our OFWs from Abu Dhabi and Dubai continues as an additional batch of 48 OFWs arrived today,” the OWWA said.
“These are OFWs that were able to avail of the UAE Amnesty Program,” it added.
In a phone interview, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said close to 500 OFWs have been successfully brought home through the amnesty program.
“To date, 483 OFWs have availed themselves of the amnesty,” said Cacdac.
To recall, the UAE government announced a two-month visa amnesty program from September 1 to October 31.
The program gives the opportunity for individuals residing illegally in the country to either regularize their residency status or leave UAE without incurring penalties.
