Filipinos to furnish NOC from embassy for job visas

A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday at a meeting between the UAE Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mattar Humaid Al Tayer and a number of Filipino officials chaired by the Philippines Secretary Of Foreign Affairs, Delia Domingo Albert.

Mrs Albert met Mr Al Tayer at the National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority Tanmia as part of her three-day official visit to the UAE, which ends today. Present at the meeting was Libran N. Cabactulan, Ambassador of Philippines in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to Khaleej Times following her meeting with Mr. Al Tayer, who is also Chairman of Tanmia's Board of Trustees, she said that the new move aimed at protecting the interests of the Filipino workers in the country. "Those recruited directly from the Philippines are hired through the Philippines Overseas Employment Agency which studies the contracts and makes sure that the interests of overseas workers are fully protected. But some Filipinos who enter the UAE on visit visas and find jobs used to get employment visas directly. Now with the introduction of this system where they should obtain the NOC from the Philippines diplomatic mission, we make sure that their interests will also be safe guarded," Mrs. Albert said.

Commenting on the status of the Filipinos in the UAE, she said that they are receiving good treatment, except for few problems concerning the seamen and the domestic helpers. "Generally Speaking, our workers are not facing major problems," she said; hailing the UAE for its support of her country in general particularly with regard to participating in the Organisation Of Islamic Conference (OIC).

"Through OIC we can find a lasting solution to the Southern part of Philippines where six million Muslims live whom we want to bring into the mainstream of development," the Secretary of Foreign Ministry said.

Her visit, she observed, comes as part of her plan to enhance national security, economic development of her country and "to look after the welfare of Filipinos overseas who total 10 million working in 165 different countries including the UAE which absorbs tens of thousands of professional, skilled and semi-skilled Filipinos, while the domestic helpers total only 18,000."

Mrs. Albert has also visited the UAE to officially open the Philippines Consulate General in Dubai where more than 125,000 Filipinos live.

"Dubai has become an important centre for trade and it is important to have a consulate that will also handle the problems and affairs of the citizens, particularly the man power," she said.