Many Filipinos have been requested to take their unpaid leaves amidst the spread of COVID-19. If you are under a no-work-no-pay system right now, there’s good news for you—you can claim your food assistance given the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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POLO Dubai has started its relief operation before the 24-hour shutdown in the city. In this Emirate, 100 OFWs are already given food assistance. They coordinated with a supermarket in Dubai and claimed their grocery bags. POLO Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, is still organizing the said operation. There will be an announcement soon as to how the agency will execute the food assistance.
Who are qualified for food assistance by POLO?
According to POLO, a Filipino must be a registered OFW with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to qualify for food assistance. In Dubai, OFWs are asked to cooperate with OWWA Dubai to check this information.
Also, OFWs should be under a no-work-no-pay scheme or on unpaid leaves before they can claim their relief goods.
How can I apply for food assistance in Dubai?
If you are an OFW in Dubai, you can apply for food assistance by following these instructions:
- Contact POLO Dubai through dubai@owwa.gov.ph or +971505585536 in WhatsApp.
- Secure the following documents and submit them:
- Completely filled out assistance form.
- A photocopy of your valid passport
- Proof of your OWWA membership
- Your employment visa valid for 3 months or more
- Proof of displacement from work due to COVID-19, which can be an email or letter from the company stating the reason.
- A representative from POLO Dubai will contact you as soon as they receive your application.
How can I apply for food assistance in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain?
If you are located in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain, you can apply for food assistance by following these instructions:
- Go to https://poloabudhabi.weebly.com/ and download the food assistance form.
- On the website above, you can submit the form by clicking on “Submit Food Assistance Docs” button. But, make sure that you are logged on using your Google Account or Gmail.
- Secure the following documents and upload them online:
- Completely filled out assistance form.
- A photocopy of your valid passport
- Proof of your OWWA membership
- Proof of displacement from work due to COVID-19, which can be an email or letter from the company stating the reason.
- A representative from POLO Abu Dhabi will contact you as soon as they receive your application.
Reminder to OFWs
Not everyone is given food assistance. You can apply for it but expect that you will either be approved or rejected. According to POLO, the operation is based on the funds given to them. Thus, food assistance is subject to the availability of funds. As much as the agency wants to help those who are in need, there are still limitations and restrictions that they have to keep in mind.