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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Repatriated OFWs penalized in Dubai for 'overstaying'; seek reimbursement from PH gov't

Repatriated OFWs penalized in Dubai for 'overstaying'; seek reimbursement from PH gov't

Published Aug 16, 2021 02:49 pm

Can we please get a reimbursement from the Philippine government?

Newly-repatriated OFWs at NAIA await the buses that will transport them to their quarantine facilities. (Ariel Fernandez/ MANILA BULLETIN)

This was the appeal of some returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those coming from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after they were supposedly forced to pay the equivalent of P18,000 for "overstaying" in that country.

A specific case is that of Bernie Lapuz, one of 300 OFWs who arrived home Modnay, Aug. 16 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 via Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Dubai.

Lapuz, employed as a construction worker in Dubai for the past four years, said he was made to pay the penalty for overstaying before his flight back to the Philippines.

He said he was initially scheduled to go home last May after his contract expired but due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting travel ban, his ticket had to be rebooked multiple times.

Lapuz was stranded in Dubai for three months until he was finally able to avail the Philippine government’s offer for free repatriation.

All seemed well until the day of the OFW's flight when immigration officers in Dubai told him to pay the fine for his three months worth of overstaying. It should be noted that Lapuz was already jobless during those months.

"I was shocked. Why am I being made to pay for overstaying in Dubai? It was because of the global pandemic that I didn't get a flight to Manila. I did nothing wrong," Lapuz said after deplaning at NAIA.

He said was only able to join the repatriation flight from Dubai after his fellow OFWs lent him money to cover the P18,000 penalty.

Lapuz has appealed for a possible reimbursement from the Philippine government so he may be able to return the money that he borrowed from his compatriots.

Lapuz said there were more OFWs like him who were penalized for overstaying, although their fines varied depending on when their contracts expired and the length of time they were stranded.

Related Tags

Dubai 81621 fine overstaying OFWs UAE penalty reimbursement NAIA
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