Emirates has signed a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to explore initiatives supporting the welfare, empowerment, and positive representation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.
The agreement was signed by Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East, and Attorney Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan, OWWA Vice-Chairman. The partnership brings together the airline and the government agency to develop programs focused on OFW welfare, social protection, reintegration, livelihood, community engagement, and travel-related support.
Expanding Support For OFWs
The partnership comes as the UAE continues to be a major destination for Filipino workers. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Survey on Overseas Filipinos, the UAE was the second-largest destination for Filipino workers, with an estimated 271,000 OFWs.
Emirates and OWWA will coordinate an expanded program of support and repatriation assistance for OFWs this year. The agreement also provides a framework for initiatives that may include preferential fares for official OWWA travel and complementary travel support for individuals recognized for their contributions to OFW welfare, subject to Emirates’ operational requirements and approval.
The collaboration will also support OWWA outreach activities in Dubai and across the Middle East, alongside humanitarian initiatives, volunteer programs, and recognition activities for OFWs and their families.
Strengthening The Philippines-UAE Connection
For Emirates, the partnership recognizes the important role Filipino migrant workers play in the aviation, tourism, and economic development of Dubai and the UAE.
“Filipino communities are at the heart of the connection between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates,” said Abbas. “This collaboration extends beyond travel to recognising the dedication of Overseas Filipino Workers and offering meaningful support to them and their families.”
Caunan likewise emphasized OWWA’s commitment to protecting and empowering OFWs, noting that partnerships such as this can help extend support and recognition to Filipino workers and their families.
Through the three-year agreement, Emirates and OWWA aim to create more opportunities for collaboration that contribute to the welfare and well-being of the OFW community.
