MANILA, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Emirates have signed a three-year agreement that includes expanded support and repatriation assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The Memorandum of Agreement, signed Thursday by Emirates Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations, Far East Orhan Abbas and OWWA Vice Chairman Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan, covers programs on OFW welfare and social protection, reintegration and livelihood, travel and tourism, corporate social responsibility, and community engagement.
As part of the agreement, OWWA and Emirates will coordinate on expanded program of support and repatriation assistance for OFWs this year.
The partnership may also include preferential fares for official OWWA travel and complementary travel support for individuals who have championed OFW welfare.
Emirates will support OWWA outreach activities in Dubai and across the Middle East, as well as humanitarian, volunteerism and recognition initiatives involving OFWs and their families.
The UAE is the second-largest destination for Filipino workers globally, with an estimated 271,000 OFWs, according to figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2024 Survey on Overseas Filipinos cited by Emirates.
Cash remittances from the UAE reached $750.3 million in the first half of 2026, up 4.3% from $719.6 million in the same period last year, based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data also cited by the airline.
"This collaboration extends beyond travel to recognising the dedication of Overseas Filipino Workers and offering meaningful support to them and their families," Abbas said.
Caunan said the partnership reflects OWWA's commitment to protecting, empowering and uplifting OFWs and their families.
"Through collaborations like this, we are able to extend more meaningful support to our members, recognize their sacrifices, and ensure they are treated with the dignity and care they deserve," she said.
Also present at the signing were Emirates Senior Regional Manager for Commercial Operations Tatiana Korshunova, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent L. Uy and OWWA-Dubai Welfare Officer Martel R. Dasayon.
