Some couldn’t buy plane tickets; others are concerned about the challenges in the Philippines
In these days of the COVID pandemic, most overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Dubai have been contemplating whether it’s time to go.
Others have no choice but to stay, and have actually become successful in getting a new job.
Some others say it’s better to fly home where they can be with family and would not have to worry about food and the rent.
But what’s holding them back, they say, is the uncertain situation arising from the government’s handling of the pandemic in the Philippines; quarantine issues with returning OFWs; and plane tickets because being jobless, with their savings eroded on rents and food, they could not afford to have one as yet.
‘Undecided dahil sa sitwasyon sa Pilipinas’
Kristelle Shane F. Calica, pastry chef who arrived in Dubai last October, is faced with a different quandary: “Undecided akong umuwi dahil sa sitwasyon ng mga OFWs sa Pilipinas pagdating sa quarantine procedure. Pero at the same time, naiisip ko din yung pambayad ng monthly rent dito …kulang pa yung sasahurin,” she said.
Calica said she doesn’t have enough for a plane ticket, which starts at Dh2,900 (P39,500) one-way.
“Hulugan din po sahod namin, around Dh1,000 a month,” she explained. “Bayad pa sa bahay (bedspace), Dh300 na lang natitira pang-kain. Ever since ay delayed na po talaga kami sa sweldo..ang kaso ay cycle lang: utang-bayad, utang-bayad. Kaya wala nang naitatabi. Sinusubukan kong magbenta-benta para may pandagdag sa gastusin,” Calica added.
The consulate has a repatriation program but which prioritizes terminated OFWs and those on visit visas. Calica has not been terminated and so has to shoulder her plane ticket.
By law, employers are duty-bound to pay for their terminated employees’ plane ticket home but there have been cases where companies could not do so due to the current economic situation.
Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes said the consulate can provide assistance on a case-to-case basis. “There may be times when it is necessary to help those who really could not afford (plane tickets),” he said.
‘Sayang nandito na ko sa Dubai’
Princess Aquino of Los Banos, Laguna said it would all be a waste going to Dubai for work and returning home broke, that’s why she’s giving it a few more months, especially now that restrictions have been eased and the city has been slowly gathering steam again.
“Balak kong maghanap muna ng trabaho. Sayang naman kasi. Nandito na ako sa Dubai. Hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na makapunta abroad. Kaya magtitiis po muna ako hanggang makahanap ng bagong work,” said Aquino, a restaurant employee who arrived in Dubai in 2018 and has been jobless for two months now. She has been behind her flat rents for three months.
She said she keeps in mind how life would be for her in the Philippines once she gets back. “Saan ka magta-trabaho? Saan kukuhanin yung mga pambayad sa ilaw, tubig, pagkain? Paano yung mga taong umaasa sa ‘yo?”Aquino said.
Aquino is waiting for the resolution of their case with their employer before UAE government authorities, which stemmed from alleged failure to properly process their employment papers.
Wait and see
Meantime, Yba Ognikob, who was in a public relations firm when she lost her job two months ago, has tried rebranding herself, having acquired certification for digital marketing.
Her option after having her work permit terminated was to go for a three-month visit visa to buy time job-hunting, but she is not willing to do so.
She also worries about what awaits back home.
“Nangangamba din ako dahil ang dadatnan sa Pilipinas ay ganuon din, baka mas mahirap pa. Nyanga lang at least dun di na kami magbabayad ng bahay unlike dito bawat galaw bayad,” she said.
“Hindi ko option ang mag-ubos ng konting ipon dito sa Dubai.”
‘Laban ako for my family’
Professional photographer Marvin Regis of Silang, Cavite who arrived in Dubai in October 2015 and has set aside an emergency fund said he is opting to stay on.
“At least kahit papano dito sa Dubai, nakakabayad ako sa bahay, nakakakain at nakakapag-padala sa pamilya…basta lalaban ako para sa pamilya ko,” he said.
“Mas may diskarte dito kaysa sa Pilipinas,” said Regis, who had to bear with having no salary for two months under a no-work-no-pay set-up. These days, he is getting half his salary.
Repatriation
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently repatriated 370 OFWs who have either been on visit visas or terminated by their employers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UAE immigration policies require those with expired visit visas to have them renewed if they want to extend their stay; on the other hand, those whose employment/resident visas have been cancelled have 30 days to either look for a new job or leave.
The Daily Bread 