Abu Dhabi’s new Labor Attache Atty. Manuel Dimaano has started his appointment in the UAE’s capital with the aim to reopen opportunities for Household Service Workers (HSWs) for direct deployment from Philippines to the UAE.
In an interview with The Filipino Times, Atty. Dimaano stated that one of his priorities for his five-year appointment in the UAE is the resumption of the deployment of HSWs by coming up with terms that will be mutually acceptable between both governments to allow for Filipinos who wish to work in the country to go through the proper channels to get hired and be deployed here in the UAE.
“As you all know, the verification of the employment contracts of HSWs is still suspended due to unsettled policy issues between the PH and UAE Gov’ts. Rest assured that our Government through DOLE and DFA, with the support of the Philippine Embassy and POLO, is working with the UAE Gov’t in coming up with terms mutually acceptable for both parties,” said Atty. Dimaano.
On DOLE-AKAP payouts
Atty. Dimaano also shared that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi has been proactively addressing concerns of OFWs who have been waiting for updates regarding their application for the Department of Labor and Employment’s Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (DOLE-AKAP) payouts.
“Our immediate priority is the pay-out of the qualified AKAP beneficiaries as we are given a limited period not only to disburse it but also to liquidate it,” said Atty. Dimaano.
The Labor Attache states that all POLO personnel have been working nonstop to ensure that each application is thoroughly screened, processed and vetted for so that the financial aid from the Philippine government will reach OFWs who have been affected by the pandemic.
“The primordial interest of the Philippine government is to provide assistance to our OFWs who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. We hope that our applicants will also bear with us as we likewise wait for the completion of certain processes which the program has to undergo in the Philippines. Nonetheless, we can commit to immediately release the cash assistance as soon as the POLO is in receipt of the funding from our central office,” assured Dimaano.
Stellar government records
Prior to his appointment as Abu Dhabi’s Labor Attache, Atty. Dimaano has a stellar track record in government service, with numerous distinctions and commendations from both local and international agencies.
His most recent appointment prior to this post was the Chief of the National Bureau of Investigation-International Airport Investigation Division, where he had been instrumental in stamping out and curbing human trafficking violations in the Philippines.
“My experience in my previous employment and my knowledge in laws have taught me to be proactive and develop strategic planning using future proofing and information gathering strategy. This approach helps me to anticipate issues that may arise in the future and be able to develop methods within the legal bounds of both the host country and the PH Government to address it before it occurs and/or mitigate its impact at least,” said Atty. Dimaano.
The vision of the new Labor Attache in Abu Dhabi is to not only find labor market opportunities for OFWs, he also commits to a POLO-OWWA office that serves with excellence and integrity and sustains the trust of the overseas Filipino community.
“My deep commitment to serve the Filipino people with honesty and integrity lives on as I endeavor to protect the rights and promote the best interests of our Filipino workers overseas,” said Dimaano.
