The UAE's Philippine Overseas Labour Office (Polo) in Dubai is experiencing chaotic queues as scores of Filipino expats trying to return home during the Eid Al Fitr break queue up for hours to obtain travel requirements.
In order to secure a slot, some camped outside the office overnight. They finished the process the next day. On the Internet, a number of posts and pictures have been shared about the plight of the kabayans.
There are some expats who said they slept outside the office last night to make sure they got their OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate).
The OEC verifies the employment status of Filipino expats. The document is not a requirement to travel to the Philippines, however, it is required for expats to return to the UAE.
Expats say that they are unable to get an appointment online for an OEC, so walk-ins have become permissible. Other sources said the appointment system had been suspended.
As a result of the long holidays and the suspension of appointments, the queue is huge.
Some of those in queue had come from the Northern Emirates. A police patrol monitored the area.
Polo Dubai acknowledged in its official statement that Filipinos are flocking to its office to meet the OEC requirements as travel protocols have eased.
However, not all expats are able to obtain their OECs at Polo Dubai. People who want to register their employment for the first time will have to apply for the paperwork back home - they still have to get their employment contract verified in Dubai.
Those who are traveling home for the first time can only get an OEC from the Philippines. In addition, their employment contract needs to be verified.
Many people were making their first trip to the Philippines. Polo Dubai queues were dominated by them.
“An average of 700 OFWs a day, who mostly came to the UAE for tourist/visit visas or to be recruited by a third country, are seeking contract verification, and issuance of an OEC has been recorded from March to April. Because of cheaper air fares during Ramadan compared to December 2021 to January 2022, most of them went home. "Some went home were emergency cases," the office stated.
Although the statement did not mention the suspension of appointment systems, which help prevent queues from building up, it did not clarify why the appointment system was allegedly suspended.
Out there, many people said it was more difficult than it actually was to get the OEC this time. You could book your appointment online, and then just show up when it was time. Regardless, this time people had to walk in, and the place looks as though it was a complete mess.
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) are required documents for all Filipinos who leave the Philippines for overseas employment, whether they are new hires or returning employees.
In addition to serving as an exit clearance, they exempt workers from paying travel taxes and airport terminal fees.
The OEC is valid for only 60 days from the date of issuance.