What happened to Filipino drivers in Dubai?

INQUIRER.net
Posted date: June 01, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—It’s been almost two months since the story of Filipino drivers stranded in Dubai attracted the attention of government and non-government organizations. But what has happened to them?

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, citing a report by the consulate general in Dubai, most of the remaining Filipino drivers in Ajman, United Arab Emirates who were duped by CYM International Services for non-existent jobs have been offered employment by Emirates Flight Catering and Dubai’s Road and Transportation Agency.

In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Philippine Consul General in Dubai Benito Valeriano said 62 others are still in Dubai waiting for the processing of their employment papers and the payment of their overstaying penalties.

The Philippine government has pressed on Al Toomoh Technical Services, the counterpart of CYM International Services in Dubai, to shoulder the payment of these penalties.

“Their employment papers could not be processed because the penalties for overstaying need to be paid. They came in various dates from January until March using visit visas, the validity of which have already expired. Al Toomoh Agency management has stated that it would pay for these penalties,” Valeriano said.

The consulate general said Vice Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza and welfare officer Elmer Joven recently visited the Filipino workers to check on their condition and employment status.

He said another eight have started working for Quality Mix, and another eight were offered work by the same company.

Valeriano said 14 Filipino drivers have opted to return to Manila.

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the DFA to look for alterative jobs for the stranded drivers as a humanitarian gesture.

At the same time, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency has already filed charges against CYM International Services for violating labor deployment laws and regulations.