Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Alfonso Ferdinand Ver has reported that there is currently no substantial demand for repatriation from the large community of Overseas Filipino Workers based in the UAE. This assessment comes despite several weeks of heightened tensions and military conflicts in the Middle East region, where the UAE has experienced a significant number of missile and drone attacks.
Stable Situation for Filipino Workers
According to Ambassador Ver, there are approximately one million Filipino workers residing and working in the United Arab Emirates, and their overall safety and security situation remains stable. The ambassador emphasized that the majority of these workers continue to express their desire to remain in the country and maintain their employment positions, rather than seeking immediate return to the Philippines.
Limited Repatriation Requests
Since the onset of recent regional conflicts, only several hundred Filipino workers have formally expressed interest in returning to their home country. The Philippine government has already assisted the majority of these individuals with their repatriation process. This includes more than 400 UAE-based overseas Filipinos who were repatriated last week, with an additional 300 workers targeted for return during the current week.
UAE's Missile Defense Capabilities
Ambassador Ver provided context regarding the security situation, noting that the UAE has experienced the largest volume of missile attacks among Middle Eastern countries during recent conflicts, with nearly 2,000 missiles recorded. However, he highlighted the effectiveness of the country's air defense systems, which have successfully intercepted approximately 90% of incoming missiles before they could reach ground targets or critical infrastructure.
Confidence in Safety Measures
The ambassador suggested that Filipino workers in the UAE likely feel sufficiently protected by these defense measures, which may explain their continued preference to remain in the country despite regional instability. This confidence in local security arrangements appears to be a significant factor in the relatively low demand for emergency repatriation among the Filipino community.
The Philippine government continues to monitor the situation closely and maintains readiness to assist any Filipino nationals who may require support or repatriation services in the future.
