The Philippines vice president, Jejomar Binay, secured amnesty for 80 Filipino workers in the UAE yesterday.
Mr Binay, also the adviser to the president of his country on overseas Filipino workers (OFW), finished up a week-long trip to the UAE and Kuwait with the result he wanted in his appeal for pardons and deportation for workers charged with minor offences.
Two hundred workers in Kuwait, as well as the 80 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, were pardoned.
"We are most grateful to the governments of Kuwait and UAE for this accommodation," Mr Binay told the Manila Bulletin.
After visiting Filipino communities, Mr Binay said he was proud of his citizens.
"This mission has deepened my admiration and respect for all our OFWs, whose daily heroism has won and continues to win the respect and admiration of other peoples," he said.
Before the trip, Mr Binay had said he would pursue "whatever arrangements are necessary and possible to improve the general working conditions and status of our global workers in the Middle East, especially those working as domestics."
Jamaliya Hubato, a 24-year-old Filipina housemaid in Dubai, was thrilled by Mr Binay's visit.
"Before I was a maid in this house here, no pay or anything, treated very bad," she said. "My friend, her madam hits her, I am good now, but we need more help and care."
