It is indicated in the Philippines' law to protect overseas Filipino workers
Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered airlines around the GCC such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines, Gulf Air and many others to omit the cost of travel tax and terminal fees for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
The labour secretary has sent letters to the respective airlines to remind them of the law stating that Filipino expat workers are exempt from paying the additional fees. According to the residential Decree No. 1183 and Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, as amended by RA No 100022, Overseas Filipino Workers are exempt from paying travel taxes and terminal fees.
Currently, Filipino expats are entitled to redeem an amount of 550 pesos (Dh40) as a terminal fee refund prior to their departure. Most OFWs however are not aware of this or have little to no time to process it as they catch their flights.
The letter, which was address to CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco also said that terminal fees that were not successfully refunded should to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to better their service towards the many Filipinos working abroad. In closing, Bello reiterated his request that the incorporation of travel taxes and fees be omitted from airline tickets being issued to Filipino workers.
Filipinos are one of the biggest nationalities represented within the UAE's diverse population.
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