Consulate in Dubai to require appointments for transactions amid long queues

By JOJO DASS DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — After days of long queues of OFWs lining up at dawn for their documents, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai has implemented appointments-only transactions, to take effect this month. The move came after photos and videos circulating on social media showed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) queuing up outside the premises of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the early hours of the morning in order to obtain their contract verification. The verification of employment contract is required to secure an overseas employment certificate (OEC), which OFWs need to depart for or return to their jobs overseas. The OEC, worth AED 10 or approximately P142, is required for the OFWs to be allowed to board their flights back to the UAE. It serves as travel tax and terminal fee exemption, as well as proof that they were processed at POEA. The new measure will take effect on May 4, 2022, as the POLO office will be closed on May 2 and 3 in observance of Eid'l Fitr. 359 stranded OFWs arrive in Manila from UAE; Consulate says repatriation to continue Pinoy quantity surveyor, barista win AED 100K each in Dubai raffle draw Philippine consulate in Dubai opens labor office amid influx of OFW voters

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