Consulate in Dubai to require appointments for transactions amid long queues

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.

Scrap OEC

The long queues reignited calls by OFWs to scrap the OEC, arguing that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) already has a database certifying their employment abroad, which only needed to be cross-checked at the airport of departure.

Philippine Labor Attaché John Rio A. Bautista said abolishing the OEC is a decision for the higher-ups.

“It’s for the higher officials and the POEA Governing Board to decide on. We are just implementing the regulations,” Bautista said.

“But [a] big number of those requesting for contract verification… initially were holders of tourist/visa and have no record with POEA,” he added.

Long queues

Bautista said the number of OFWs seeking verification in the last week has shot up.

“More than double ang clients these past weeks. Nasa mga 700 to 800 daily, unlike before na 300 to 400 on regular days,” he said.

Bautista said the long queues involved walk-in OFWs and not those with scheduled appointments.

“We have appointments for OWWA and OEC. But the long queue is for the walk-in. That’s why, effective May 4, we will implement strict appointment. We also have limited space and can only accommodate 100 to 150 at a time,” Bautista said, adding that part of POLO’s premises is also being used for the ongoing overseas absentee voting (OAV).

Advisory

The PCG stated in an advisory issued in late April that POLO has consolidated contract verification and OWWA membership application or renewal as one appointment with 250 slots a day, while OEC issuances will have 150. “Online appointments will be strictly followed,” PCG said.

“POLO Dubai will not issue an OEC to workers who have entered UAE on a visit/tourist visa and then converted it into employment visa (after having secured a job in the course of their stay),” the advisory added.

Bautista explained that this is per POEA rules. He said: “POEA Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2019 (states that) for those workers who were not previously registered with POEA, POLO will only verify their contract and advise them to secure OEC at POEA.”

The PCG said the lifting of COVID-19 entry requirements in the Philippines and the easing of travel protocols in the UAE have caused OFWs to consider going on vacation, especially considering cheaper plane fares during the ongoing Ramadan, traditionally a vacation month.

Exempted from the appointment system are OFWs having emergencies or other situation that require them to fly immediately.

The POLO is in the PCG compound in Al Qusais, situated on the outskirts of Dubai. — BM/KG, GMA News