Filipina in Dubai receives Dh730 cash assistance

  DUBAI – A Filipina resident in Dubai took to social media to thank the Philippine government after receiving her Dh730 ($200) cash assistance for Overseas Filipino Workers (OWFs) displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic. In a post on Facebook on Tuesday (April 21), Jinky Batalla De Guzman thanked Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai (POLO Dubai) in a photo showing the cash she received along with a claim receipt from an Al Ansari Exchange branch in Dubai. De Guzman, who works as an office administrator in the emirate, received a confirmation of approval of her application for the DOLE-AKAP for OFWs one-time cash assistance on April 17.

I am proof that cash assistance is real, says no work, no pay De Guzman

Speaking to Expatmedia.net on Tuesday, the 30-year-old De Guzman said she was asked to go on a "no work, no pay" arrangement after her company became affected by a business slowdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. De Guzman, who has lived in Dubai in the last seven years, said she was forced to apply for cash assistance to help her survive the Covid-19 pandemic. "I sent a message to my company regarding the letter that was required as proof that I have been asked to go on No Work, No Pay scheme, and they gave it to me," she told Expatmedia.net. The Filipina employee of Blue Petals Flowers Trading in Dubai said she submitted copies of her passport and visa page, Overseas Employment Certificate and the letter from her company through the POLO Dubai website. "I was very surprised when I received a message from POLO Dubai on April 21 giving me the reference number to claim the cash in Al Ansari Exchange," De Guzman told Expatmedia.net. She wasted no time claiming the cash from a branch in BurJuman Centre on Tuesday. The Filipina said she will share the money she received with her sister-in-law. "I will give her Dh100 for her food. The rest of the money I will use to buy food for myself," she said. De Guzman also wanted to share a message to Filipinos in the UAE, "To those who don't believe in the cash assistance, God bless you all. I just waited patiently without saying anything negative and this happened." "I wanted to post my experience because I have seen a lot of bashers on social media saying they don't believe anyone has gotten the cash assistance. I am proof that it is real," she said. Filipina receives cash assistance in Dubai

Another Filipina gets cash assistance

Meanwhile, Dubai-based OFW Aries Arangorin Colico also took to a Facebook group to announce that she received her Dh730 cash assistance on Tuesday (April 21). Colico posted a composite photo of the money she received along with the claim slip from Al Ansari Exchange and an email from POLO Dubai confirming that her application for cash assistance has been approved. "Just hang on, friends. DOLE-AKAP assistance received! It looks like I may be the first to be given this in Dubai," she said in the caption in Filipino.

No work, no pay Filipinos now included in cash assistance

On April 18, it was announced that Filipinos in the UAE under no work, no pay scheme will also be given one time cash assistance of $200 (Dh730) by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes said. In the new directive, the cash assistance now includes “workers under a no work, no pay arrangement” as well as “workers who are unable to work and receive salary due to Covid-19 infection”. According to POLO Dubai, the agency is now processing the applications of workers under no work, no pay" arrangement who have submitted their applications prior to the advisory on Saturday.

More than 24,000 applications so far

Meanwhile, some Filipinos in the UAE have taken to social media to say that they haven't received any reply or update to their applications for cash assistance. Speaking to Expatmedia.net on Saturday (April 18), Consul General Cortes asked applicants for patience. "We are poring through more than 9,000 applications, all of which are very heavily documented," Cortes told Expatmedia.net. As of April 20, POLO Dubai has received 24,133 applications for cash assistance. ICA/Expat Media

Here’s all you need to know:

Who are eligible?

According to POLO officials in Dubai, OFWs who lost their employment or have experienced job displacement due to Covid-19 can get financial assistance. They must also be OFWs who did not receive financial support/assistance from employers. As of April 18, Filipinos on No Work, No Pay scheme will also receive cash assistance.

What's the latest advisory?

In its latest advisory, POLO Dubai said the submission of application for the DOLE-AKAP One Time Financial Assistance is temporarily suspended effective April 21.

According to POLO, eligible workers must be either:

- Regular/documented OFWs with valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to work in UAE - Regular/documented OFWs with employment contract processed by POEA or POLO - Documented workers who have lost their regular or documented status - Undocumented OFWs who are not registered with POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or POLO but have undertaken actions to regularize their contracts or status - Undocumented OFWs who are not registered with POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or POLO, but are active OWWA members at the time of availment. - Workers who remain to be unemployed at the time of availment of financial assistance - Workers under "no work, no pay" arrangement - Workers who are unable to work and receive salary due to Covid-19 infection

How many times can I avail of financial assistance?

Only once.

How do I apply for assistance in UAE?

Applicants with residence visa in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain can contact POLO Dubai for assistance. For Filipinos based in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, contact POLO in Abu Dhabi or the Philippine Embassy. 1. Download the application form here (you must be logged on to your Google account to access)  You can also download the form here If you don't have a Google account, click here to download the application form 2. Fill in the form. 3. For applicants from Dubai and Northern Emirates: Submit accomplished form through www.polodubaiportal.org/dole-akap-for-ofws-in-dubai-and-northern-emirates or click here (you must be logged on to your Google account to access) For applicants from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: Submit the accomplished form here  4. Upload the following supporting documents: - Copy of valid passport with employment visa - Any proof of employment (upload only one proof): Verified employment contract, OEC, valid OWWA membership, Emirates ID, Residence Visa or Re-Entry Visa - Proof of loss of employment/loss of salary/no work no pay scheme due to Covid-19 - For those with legal case: proof of a pending case that has caused their current “undocumented status, such as case reference number, case endorsement stamped by the POLO, etc". 5. Upon receiving complete requirements, POLO shall evaluate the documents within five working days and notify the worker through email of the approval or disapproval of the application within five working days. 6. POLO shall release Dh730 through bank transfer or money remittance.

How do I contact POLO in Dubai?

You can contact the agency through the following: Website: www.polodubaiportal.org Email: polodubai@ymail.com Mobile: 0506526626

What about OFWs in the Philippines?

OFWs who are currently in the Philippines may also avail of cash assistance by submitting their application and supporting documents to their respective regional or local OWWA offices: - Accomplished application form for special cash assistance downloadable at www.dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph - Copy of passport or travel documents - Proof of overseas employment, such as valid OEC, residence ID, visa/re-entry visa, etc - Proof of loss of employment/loss of salary/no work no pay scheme due to Covid-19
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