iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Its practices also pose 'a significant risk' to public health, authorities say
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Filipinos taken for a ride in visa scam, recruitment
A computer science graduate from the Philippines shelled out 80,000 Philippine pesos (Dh5,333) for a visit visa sponsored by a Dubai-based trading company.
The Filipina, Lalaine (not her real name), and three others, who bought the visas, had been promised that office jobs were ready on their arrival in the emirate. They had also been offered accommodation. Three months have passed and Lalaine has yet to get a lucrative job in Dubai that would help cover the cost of her visa and travel expenses.
“We were told that for 80,000 pesos each (we will be able to leave within two weeks and that an office job was already waiting for us. We soon discovered that we had paid a huge amount. We were advised by a friend that upon reaching the airport we were not supposed to hand over our air tickets for a refund. We decided not to stay in her flat and not deal with her anymore,” recounted the 22-year-old Filipina.
“I hope that I will soon get a secretarial job. I was offered Dh1,700 which is not enough to pay for my accommodation and all other expenses here,”she lamented.
Lalaine is among the countless victims of visa trading and illegal recruitment. In a separate incident, a group of 10 Filipinos were asked to pay a whopping 130,000 pesos each (Dh8,666) which will cover the cost of their visit visa, visit visa renewal, air tickets, food and accommodation for three months. However, after two days of staying in a flat in Sharjah, they were asked to pay for their food. Worse, the hefty amount they paid will not cover their visa renewal.
“I am currently waiting for one of the Filipinos who flew to Kish for a visa change. He will be writing his statements on his experiences. His other companions had already left for the Philippines, while others will also head home after sufficient funds have been raised for their tickets to Manila. They had to hand over their tickets, which were originally two-way tickets,” the source, who requested anonymity, said.
She added: “I pity their condition. One Filipino whom I spoke to had to accept a restaurant job with a salary of Dh500 out of necessity. When they were briefed in Manila, they were told that they would be working immediately with a salary of 30,000 pesos (approximately Dh2,000).”
Commenting on the recurrence of visa trading and illegal recruitment, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran Cabactulan told .f+i.Khaleej Times.f-i.: “I’ve been apprised of the problems faced by our OFWs, but there is a need to document the complaints and allegations of such practices so that the proper authorities can take action on them.”
He added: “The affidavit of support and guarantee for Filipino nationals visiting the UAE has been a source of complaint. It has become an arbitrary decision on the part of the Bureau of Immigration to allow Filipinos on visit visa to depart to the UAE. There have also been allegations that the officials would ask Filipinos for a certain amount. This simply boils down to proper management.”
More news from UAE
The process can be done via app or on the website of Awqaf UAE
Launched in September 2021, Nafis includes salary support scheme, pension programme, child allowance scheme, and unemployment benefit for Emiratis
At least one seat must be allocated for women after the end of term of the current boards
The cops have been settling cases amicably under the 'Al Salah Khair' initiative for 14 years now
Today, Dubai has the highest concentration of private wealth in the Middle East, as it continues to offer a thriving and safe economic climate, says expert
Dubai's Ruler and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs also offered similar condolences
Officials noted that in today’s tech-driven world, technology is emerging as the new axis of power, with nations racing to secure their influence