The number of Filipino “tourist workers” entering in United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Dubai, is continuously increasing due to its images as “the promised land.” About 600, from 400 last year, according to the estimation of the consulate are entering the country daily.

The representatives of the Philippine government in Dubai are set to tackle the rising problem of exploitation of Filipino tourist workers in UAE.

According to Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General Antonio Curameng, the Philippine Labour Office and the community were forming a fact-finding committee, which he expect to be functioning by next month, that would come up with a strategy to resolve the issue.

“We want the Filipino community to give their input as much as possible,” he said, adding information given would remain anonymous.

"We don't want them to violate [UAE laws] and be violated here. It works both ways," Curameng added.

Meanwhile, an advisory about a white slavery syndicate promising good paying jobs was issued by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for Filipinos wishing to work abroad, particularly in Dubai.

The OWWA-NAIA released the advisory after a Filipina escaped from a prostitution den in Dubai. The said Filipina (name temporarily withheld), who was forced to work as a sex slave was able to runaway when its guard fell asleep. She was found straying in the street by a Filipino worker and helped her.

She said that there are other OFWs enslaved by the syndicate in the sex den and were forced to work into prostitution.   

The victim is now under the custody of Philippine Consulate Office in Dubai and undergoes counseling.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the OWWA are now doing actions to rescue and repatriate the OFWs.