For some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, a simple visit to Abu Dhabi or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would not be complete without a bundle of money in their pockets.
The money, however, is not for shopping or airfare. It’s for immigration personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) who allegedly extort as much as P10,000 from departing OFWs.
A new group of OFWs called Bagong Bayani Lakas ng Bayan (Bayanikasan) yesterday alleged that several Bureau of Immigration employees stationed at the NAIA milk OFWs for "supporting pesos" in the guise of asking for more "supporting papers" even though they already have the proper documents.
Bayanikasan officials, who asked not to be named, said they have documented a number of complaints from OFWs victimized by the new racket.
Some had to reschedule their flights as they are unaware of this new requirement (payment of P10,000 aside from the terminal fee) and are only informed once inside the Immigration office at the NAIA. "Is this a new rule?" an OFW asked.
Bayanikasan officials added they have informed Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities Heherson Alvarez about the irregularities and have forwarded to him a formal letter of complaint and petition from 42 OFWs.
Alvarez, in an interview with The Star, said he has relayed the complaints to Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo.
Domingo, he added, has already vowed "to look into the complaints and sanction those involved to strengthen the faith of OFWs in our government."
Domingo reportedly issued a Memorandum Order last June 9 ordering "all immigration personnel to allow the immediate departure of OFWs and their families who already hold documents as required by law, without further delay or the need for any other supporting papers."
Filipino workers are allowed by the UAE to apply for a visit visa for their relatives provided that they present a copy of their valid passports and execute an affidavit of support that they receive a salary of at least US$1,092.90 or an invitation from the employer-company.
"Once these requirements are complied with, the host country is willing to give visas to their relatives. But as reported to me, the visiting relatives are harassed and rudely treated by immigration officials at the NAIA. And worse, they are not allowed to leave unless they cough up the ‘supporting pesos’ that varies between US$200 to US$250 or its equivalent in pesos," Alvarez said.