1.
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SEMINAR
FOR OFWs BOUND FOR THE UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES

2.
PDOS UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
OFFICIAL NAME: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

3.
FLAG

4.
THE EMIRATES:
1. Abu Dhabi – capital of U.A.E.
2. Dubai – financial center of U.A.E.
3. Sharjah
4. Ajman
5.Umm al-Qaiwain
6. Ra’s al-Khaimah – most conservative, enforces
strict Islamic code of modesty (hijab)
7. Fujairah
CAPITAL : ABU DHABI

5.
NATIONALITY
www.owwa.gov.ph
EMIRATI(S)

6.
LOCATION
Land Area: 83,600 sq km
Travel Time from Philippines to UAE:
8-10 Hours

7.
GOVERNMENT
A federation with specific
areas of authority constitutionally
assigned to the UAE Federal
Government and other powers
reserved for member Emirates.
Federation of Emirates

8.
Dirham (AED)
Exchange Rate : 1 USD = AED 3.67 AED
CURRENCY

9.
TERRAIN
Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand
dunes of vast desert wasteland.

10.
CLIMATE
April to September:
Summer
November to March:
infrequent rainfall; occasional
sandstorms; and some winter
mornings that bring fog.

11.
NATURAL HAZARDS
Frequent sandstorm and dust storm

12.
POPULATION
9.086 Million 2014 World Bank
Note:
Immigrants make up more than
80% of the total population.
(2014 est. United Nations)

13.
LANGUAGE
Assalamu Alaykum! Sumainyo nawa ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon
you.
َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ ُ‫م‬َ‫ال‬َّ‫س‬‫ال‬ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬ْ‫ي‬.
Wa alaykumus
salam!
At sumainyo rin ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon you
too.
‫ال‬ ُ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬ْ‫ي‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ َ‫و‬ُ‫م‬َ‫ال‬َّ‫س‬.
Sabaahal-khair! Magandang umaga po! Good morning. ْ‫ي‬َ‫خ‬ْ‫ال‬ ُ‫ح‬‫ا‬َ‫ب‬َ‫ص‬‫ر‬.
Sabaahan-nour! Magandang umaga rin
po!
Good morning
too.
ْ‫و‬ُّ‫ن‬‫ال‬ ُ‫ح‬‫ا‬َ‫ب‬َ‫ص‬‫ر‬.
Masaa-al khair! Magandang hapon po! Good afternoon! ْ‫ي‬َ‫خ‬ْ‫ال‬ ُ‫ء‬‫ا‬َ‫س‬َ‫م‬‫ر‬.
Masaa-an nour! Magandang hapon din ! Good afternoon
too.
ْ‫و‬ُّ‫ن‬‫ال‬ ُ‫ء‬‫ا‬َ‫س‬َ‫م‬‫ر‬.
Kayfa haaluka / Kumusta po kayo? How are you? ‫ك‬ُ‫ل‬‫ا‬َ‫ح‬ َ‫ْف‬‫ي‬َ‫ك‬َ/
‫؟‬‫ك‬
Official Language : Arabic
Other Languages : English (widely used), Farsi, Hindi, Urdu

14.
RELIGION
Islam (Practice of other religions is allowed)

15.
Dates
FOOD
Kubz
Yogurt
Shawarma
Kabsa

16.
CLOTHING
www.owwa.gov.ph
Women must
wear Abaya
and
Batula/Burka to
cover face.
Western attire is acceptable in all Emirates except in Ra’s al-Khaimah.
Men must
wear
Kandura or
Thob.

17.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
New Year
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
Israa & Miaraj Nigh
Eid Al Fitr
Arafat Day
Eid Al Adha
Hijri New Year's Day
Martyrs Day
UAE National Day
There are two types of public holidays in UAE– fixed holidays (such as the
National Day or the New Year day), and Islamic holidays, which are subject
to moon sighting, and their dates vary each year.
Federal ministries, public departments and government institutions are
closed during public holidays.

18.
WORKING DAYS AND HOURS
Working days : SUNDAY TO THURSDAY
Weekends : FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
• Government : 7:30 AM - 3 PM
• Embassies and Consulates: 8 AM - 4:00 PM
• Shopping Malls: 9 AM - 11 PM
• Gas stations and Eateries are open 24/7
• Banks: 7:30AM/8:00AM – 2:30PM/3:00 PM
• Exchange Centers: 9AM – 11PM

19.
COMMUNICATION
When Calling from
UAE to Philippines:
Dial 63 + (Area Code) +
(Telephone Number)
When Calling from
Philippines to UAE:
Dial 971 + (Area Code) +
(Telephone Number)
Internet Country Code: .ae
Time Difference: Philippines is four (4) hours
ahead of UAE

20.
TRANSPORTATION
Tram
Cabs Buses Abra
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai Metro

21.
• Rise when meeting guests.
• Greet the elders first.
• Most men shake hands to greet
and bid farewell to each other.
• Some men even hold hands,
stand nose to nose, and walk as a
sign of great brotherly love.
DO’s IN UAE

22.
DO’s IN UAE
• Always remove your
footwear when entering a
Masjid (mosque).
Females are escorted to
another section because
they must be segregated
from the males.

23.
DON’Ts IN UAE
• DON’T drink and drive.
Drunkenness is a serious
offense in the UAE and there is
a zero tolerance policy for
driving after consuming
alcohol.
• DON’T eat, drink or smoke IN
PUBLIC or in front of Muslims
during Ramadan.

24.
DON’Ts IN UAE
• DON’T use drugs.
• DON’T engage in pre-marital
sex.
• DON’T commit adultery.
• Homosexuality.

25.
DON’Ts IN UAE
• DON’T bring banned goods
into Dubai.
• DON’T wear low-cut tops,
short skirts and bare arms.
• DON’T walk around in swim-
wear or bikinis, unless they
are at the beach or poolside.

26.
• DO NOT drink if you are
driving
• DO NOT swear, make rude
gestures and all forms of road
rage.
• Public displays of affection are
NOT permitted. You can be
arrested and jailed
DON’Ts IN UAE

27.
• DON’T cross legs when seated.
• DON’T beckon or ask someone
to come to you with your finger.
If you wish to use a hand
gesture, use the whole palm
and fingers.
DON’Ts IN UAE

28.
• DON’T offer any alcoholic
refreshments or food with
pork to your Muslim
guest.
• AVOID taking
photographs of mosques,
military installations or
other people, especially
Arab women.
DON’Ts IN UAE

29.
• AVOID showing the
soles of your feet, or
pointing your foot at
anyone.
• DON’T swear.
• DON’T pull out
tongue.
DON’Ts IN UAE

30.
• DON’T disrespect ANY
religion.
• DON’T share a private
space (a house, room,
hotel, car) with the
opposite sex.
• AVOID wearing
indecent clothing.
DON’Ts IN UAE

31.
Estimated number of Filipinos Total
a. Permanent residents
---
b. Temporary residents 525,449
c. Irregular/Undocumented Migrants
16,144
TOTAL 541,593
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
Source : Report to Congress by DFA , 2014.

32.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY OFWs (in general)
Contract substitution
Unpaid salaries
Salary deductions
Unpaid overtime
Inadequate food
No food allowance
Mistreatment
Maltreatment
Homesickness
Claim for end-of-service benefits (gratuity)
Claim for vacation leave
Claim for air ticket
Verbal abuse
Loans/credit card

33.
W-48, Street No. 8, Secto 4 2-23, Plot 51, Al Qubaisat
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN
ABU DHABI, UAE

34.
W-48, Street No. 8, Secto 4 2-23, Plot 51, Al Qubaisat
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 3215, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(9715) 6272 1578 (Landline)
(9715) 6308 7245 (Mobile)
(9715) 6282 1873 (OWWA Hotline)
polo1@emirates.net.ae
owwa_uae@yahoo.com
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN
ABU DHABI, UAE

35.
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL,
DUBAI, UAE
No. 35-A Beirut St. Community 234, Al Qusais 3 PO Box 4960 Dubai

36.
No. 35-A Beirut St., Community 234, Al Qusais 3
PO Box 4960. Dubai UAE
(9714) 220-7011(Landline)
(9715) 6273 2611 (POLO Hotline)
(9715) 2665 645 (WelOf Mobile)
dubaipolo@ymail.com
Owwa_dubai@yahoo.com
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL,
DUBAI, UAE

37.
1. uae.gov
2. bsp.gov.ph
3. visitabudhabi.ae
4. http://www.owwa.gov.ph/wcmqs/directory/international/AU
5. Emirates 24/7
6. http://www.uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/uk/Content/568
7. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-
factbook/geos/ae.html
8. http://www.uaestatistics.gov.ae/EnglishHome/tabid/96/Default.as
px
9. http://data.worldbank.org/country/united-arab-emirates
REFERENCES