Thousands of OFWs Stranded on Island in Iran

An estimated 2,000 OFWs are stranded on Kish Island in Iran, waiting to renew their visas so they can return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to find work, reports ABS-CBN News. The stranded Filipinos are mostly tourist visa holders who failed to find jobs in the UAE.  Tourists visa holders can renew their visas if they stay outside UAE for a month. Many have been staying on the island for several months while waiting for job opportunities in UAE. With no income and with the very limited money already spent on hotel accommodations, many jobless Filipinos rely on the help of kababayans based on Kish Island. Many refuse to return to the Philippines because of the mounting debts waiting for them back home.