The Philippine missions in Dubai and Northern Emirates waived the Dh120 (Php 1482) application fee for travel documents to further encourage Filipino workers to seek amnesty. Since there’s only less than a month before amnesty period lapses, the officials are worried about the few numbers of Filipinos applying for amnesty.

Filipinos were discouraged in applying for amnesty because of the procedures they have to go through. This was confirmed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) administrative staff, Teresa Pablo.  

“Once they learn that they would have to go through a set of procedures in order to obtain their out pass, they get discouraged," she said.

According to Pablo, there are only 778 Filipinos who escaped from their employers or whose labor cards had expired had sought POLO-OWWA’s assistance since August 1. While they are expecting some 3,000 illegal Filipino residents will seek for their assistance based on turnout in 2003 amnesty.

She also said that they might be in big trouble if they do not grab the amnesty program.

“We are concerned that if they do not take advantage of the amnesty, they might get themselves into deeper problems later on," she said.

Amnesty seekers, including overstaying tourists and undocumented children, have been referred to the Philippine Consulate General. The average number of Filipinos inquiring about the amnesty had reached 50 per day during the first few weeks of the amnesty.