Philippine Senator Raffy Tulfo at the Migrant Workers Office on February 28, 2025. RAFFY TULFO IN ACTION

Philippine Senator Raffy Tulfo made an unannounced visit to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai, exposing what he described as a “broken system” that causes delays in contract verification and shortened work hours. The senator was surprised to learn that contract verification appointments can allegedly take up to three months. He also took issue with the office’s half-day work schedule on Fridays, which he said was the only day that many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are available to visit government offices due to their work schedules. “I’ve received many complaints that the process here is too slow. It takes up to three months just to get an appointment for contract verification,” Tulfo said in Filipino. “I heard that this office only works four and a half days a week. You should be open for at least five full days, especially on Fridays when OFWs have the time to come and avail of services. You need to stay open until 5pm today.” Despite the cutoff time at noon on Fridays and at 3:30pm on weekdays, Expat Media has observed that MWO Dubai ensures that all waiting OFWs arriving in the premises before the cutoff period are served well after their closing time. The last person in the queue is accommodated, and staff continue working well after the cutoff time until all pending cases for the day are cleared. Tulfo visited the MWO office in Dubai on February 28 and found that some OFWs had been waiting since early morning. “We’ve been here since 6am,” one Filipino worker told him. When he questioned staff about the delays, one MWO representative explained, “We follow a numbering system, sir.” However, several OFWs in the office alleged that some staff members were unhelpful and unfriendly. “It’s true. Some of them are rude,” said a Filipina customer, speaking in Filipino. Another worker added, “It’s hard to get an appointment. Sometimes when we ask for assistance, the staff are unfriendly.” Tulfo called Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac for clarification on the shortened work hours. Cacdac explained that the half-day schedule on Fridays aligns with UAE’s labor regulations, but assured that improvements will be considered. During his visit, Tulfo also checked the offices of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) section, only to find them empty. When questioned, a staff member said they were out conducting site and jail visits to distressed OFWs. Tulfo requested proof of these visits, suggesting that officers take photos or videos to document their work and provide updates to the families of distressed OFWs. “I made this surprise visit to see how your system works, and I find it inefficient. And on top of that, the staff are unfriendly. Why is that? It’s part of your job to assist OFWs. If not for them, you wouldn’t have jobs here. They are the ones paying your salaries,” he told MWO personnel in Filipino. Assistant Labor Attaché Jeane Mendoza acknowledged the complaints, saying, “We will address these concerns and take the necessary steps to improve the system.” While Tulfo highlighted areas that needed improvement, MWO Dubai has been instrumental in assisting distressed Filipinos. One recent case involved Ernesto Arnel Tawat, 69, and his wife, Teresa, who were recently repatriated after decades of struggling with an unpaid blood money debt that left Ernesto stranded in the UAE. Their return to the Philippines on February 28 was made possible through the combined efforts of the DMW and MWO Dubai after their story went viral on Expat Media. Speaking to Expat Media that day, Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista confirmed that the couple successfully departed from Dubai International Airport after all legal impediments were resolved.

Filipino contract verification in MWO Dubai

Meanwhile, a visiting Tulfo questioned why contract verification takes so long. Assistant Labor Attaché Mendoza explained that the volume of applicants—often reaching 300 to 500 per day—contributes to delays. “We check their contracts and Emirates IDs to ensure that contract provisions comply with labor standards and protect workers’ rights,” she said. Tulfo insisted that solutions must be implemented immediately. “If staff shortage is the problem, then we need to increase manpower. You also need to adjust your office hours to accommodate OFWs on their days off,” he said. The Philippine requirement for contract verification is one of the long-standing concerns among OFWs in the UAE, which many say is an unnecessary and redundant process. The UAE already has a strict labor contract verification system through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), yet the Philippine government still requires OFWs to verify the same contracts at MWO for a fee of Dh40. Many OFWs believe the process should be scrapped altogether, as it only adds an extra step that costs time and money. Meanwhile, Tulfo suggested opening satellite offices in malls or extending office hours beyond 5pm to better serve Filipinos. Mendoza responded, “We will find a way. We are continuously improving our system.” As he wrapped up his visit, Tulfo said he would bring up these concerns in a hearing with the DMW in the Philippines and push for more manpower at MWO Dubai. Meanwhile, Expat Media has reached out to MWO for comment. Tulfo's visit to Dubai, where he also filmed a promotional competition for Westzone shoppers, came as two of his brothers are seeking Senate seats in the May elections, while three other relatives are vying for congressional seats. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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