MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Emirates has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to explore collaborative initiatives that support the welfare, empowerment, and positive representation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.
The agreement was signed by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East, and Attorney Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Vice-Chairman.
Among those who attended the signing were Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East; Tatiana Korshunova, Emirates Senior Regional Manager, Commercial Operations; OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent L. Uy; and OWWA-Dubai Welfare Officer Martel R. Dasayon.
The partnership comes at a time when the welfare of Filipino workers abroad has moved further into focus. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Survey on Overseas Filipinos, the UAE is now the second-largest destination for Filipino workers globally, home to an estimated 271,000 OFWs1. Cash remittances from the UAE reflect this scale, reaching US$750.3 million in the first half of 2026, up 4.3% from US$719.6 million in the same period last year, per Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data2.
Through this collaboration, Emirates and OWWA will coordinate an expanded program of support and repatriation assistance for OFWs this year.
The three-year agreement establishes a strategic framework for the two parties to collaborate on programs spanning welfare and social protection, corporate social responsibility, travel and tourism, reintegration and livelihood, and community engagement.
This may include preferential fares for official OWWA travel and complimentary travel support for individuals who have championed OFW welfare.
This collaboration reflects Emirates’ longstanding recognition of the contribution Filipino migrant workers make to the aviation, tourism and economic development of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Through the partnership, Emirates will support OWWA’s outreach activities in Dubai and across the Middle East, alongside humanitarian, volunteerism and recognition initiatives for OFWs and their families.
Orhan Abbas, commented: “Filipino communities are at the heart of the connection between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, and we are honoured to stand alongside OWWA in caring for the workers who give so much to both nations. This collaboration extends beyond travel to recognising the dedication of Overseas Filipino Workers and offering meaningful support to them and their families. We look forward to a successful collaboration with OWWA.”
Attorney Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan added: “This partnership with Emirates reflects our continued commitment to protect, empower, and uplift Overseas Filipino Workers and their families. Through collaborations like this, we are able to extend more meaningful support to our members, recognise their sacrifices, and ensure they are treated with the dignity and care they deserve. We welcome this partnership and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to the OFW community.”
