For services related to passports and civil registry documents, Filipinos can simply go to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, matters on labor and welfare are handled by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), which is situated next to the embassy.
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Basically, POLO Abu Dhabi serves as the operating arm of the Philippine Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) and its attached agencies. It is responsible for protecting the rights as well as promoting the welfare and interests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
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Services Rendered by POLO Abu Dhabi
Aside from DOLE, the other Philippine government agencies attached to POLO Abu Dhabi include: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare & Development (DWSD), Social Security System (SSS), and Pag-Ibig Fund (PAG-IBIG).
POLO Abu Dhabi is open every Sunday to Thursday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The list of services rendered by the office is as follows:
A. Employment Facilitation
- Employment contract and job order verification
- Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate
- Marketing
B. Welfare Services (facilitated by OWWA)
- Counseling
- Skills Enhancement Training at the Filipino Workers Resource Center
- Temporary Sheltering
- Repatriation Assistance
C. Other Services
- OWWA voluntary membership on site
- Networking with government organizations (GOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), Filipino community associations, recruitment agencies, and media
Settling Skilled Workers’ Complaints
Filipino workers who need to file complaints can get help from POLO Abu Dhabi. A case officer will interview the worker, assess his/her complaint, and review possible options. Sometimes, an amicable settlement with the company is enough. Otherwise, a case would have to be filed with the UAE Ministry of Labor to undergo a formal hearing and resolution.
Settling Cases of Run-Away Domestic Workers
POLO Abu Dhabi also addresses cases of run-away domestic workers. A case officer interviews the worker, assesses his/her situation, and reviews possible options. The sponsor is informed that the worker is under the custody of the Embassy, which negotiates for the worker’s due payments and repatriation.
In some cases, the foreign placement agency involved is also contacted to help resolve the matter. Cases that cannot be resolved amicably, however, are elevated to Immigration — and, if necessary — to the Abu Dhabi Shariah Court Dispute & Amicable Settlement Section.
Meanwhile, cases that are criminal in nature are endorsed immediately to the Assistance to Nationals Unit of the Philippine Embassy. As for workers who need immediate medical attention, they are referred to hospitals.
Contact Information – POLO Abu Dhabi
Address: Villa 2, W-48, Street No. 8, Sector 2-23, Plot 51, Al Qubaisat, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 056 270 9157 (LABOR) / 050 452 6244 (OEC issuance) / 050 880 6747 & 050 187 4642 (Contract Verification & Job Order) / 050 814 2107 (OWWA)
Email: poloabudhabi@yahoo.com / abudhabipe@owwa.gov.ph
Google Map:
If you or someone you know needs to avail of the above services, do not hesitate to contact POLO Abu Dhabi. One the other hand, if you need to have some documents authenticated or notarized in the Philippine Embassy, please refer to this guide.
DISCLAIMER: The above details are presented for information-sharing purposes only. To know more about the services offered by POLO Abu Dhabi, please visit the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.