Pinoy bus drivers in Dubai hit recruitment agency

abs-cbnNEWS.com

DUBAI - 137 Filipino bus drivers are distressed in Ajman in United Arab Emirates after falling prey allegedly to an illegal recruitment scheme of CYM agency based in Manila.

Emmanuel Gabriel, the victims' spokesperson, said they were promised jobs as RTA Dubai bus drivers with salaries of $1,500 per month after paying more than P150,000 to the agency.

Allegedly, the drivers were advised to borrow this amount from the agency's partner RJJ Lending Corporation.

The drivers were reportedly given two sets of visas: tourist and employment. They were reportedly advised to present the employment visa to immigration and to destroy it after and use the tourist visa upon entering Dubai.

They said that this raised their suspicions which only became apparent after overstaying for a month in the Middle East country without any clear sign of work.

The agency is purportedly owned by Connie Paloma, whose office is reportedly located back of Ambassador hotel in Manila, who allegedly claimed to have connections with NBI.

The drivers said they want to return home and press charges against Paloma. They said however that their passports are still being held by a local partner of the agency, Al Tomo.

The POLO-OWWA office in Dubai has initially initiated a dialogue between the distressed parties and Al Tomo but the latter allegedly wants the drivers to sign a document in Arabic. POLO-OWWA advised them not to sign anything yet until it is translated. The translation allegedly implies Al Tomo has no responsibility over the drivers. This is an issue that has yet to be resolved.

The victims said that they also want Paloma to return the money they borrowed from the lending institution since the promised job that will enable them to pay for the debt did not materialize.

Allegedly there are 1,000 more drivers expected to arrive in Dubai and CYM has flyers claiming Dubai RTA needs 4,000 bus drivers.

The victims are already running short of food and supplies. According to Gabriel they are staying in the Al Tomo accommodation near a dumpsite in Ajman.

A group of Filipino expatriates from Gulf News and other individuals donated 1,645 UAE dirhams to the distressed drivers. Report from MAJAH MORALDE, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Dubai, UAE

as of 04/10/2009 6:53 PM

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