MANILA, Philippines – From the United Arab Emirates to China, hundreds of mostly women Filipino workers continue to fall prey to human- trafficking syndicates, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Philippine embassies in Beijing and Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Macau reported the increasing influx of Filipino women victimized by gangs that land them into prostitution, drug smuggling and slave labor, particularly in China.

Consul General in Beijing Teresa Almojuela warned that although China continues to enjoy economic expansion, its labor market has not been opened for foreign workers particularly in blue-collar jobs.

Reporting to the DFA, Almojuela said the Chinese government is now worried over the increasing number of undocumented workers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

“The Chinese labor market is not yet open for blue-collar Filipino and other foreign workers, thus offers from recruitment agencies to work in the country as blue-collar workers can be considered human trafficking,” she said.

The workers are usually brought in by human traffickers to East China but the Guangzhou Entry and Exit Administration Department could not provide the exact number of undocumented workers.

Ambassador to the UAE Grace Princesa said a human smuggling syndicate was uncovered after a victim managed to escape and file a complaint with the police in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

She added at least four Filipinos—three women and one man—were arrested in Abu Dhabi for engaging in human trafficking. Rescued were 10 female victims. “Nine are currently in the embassy’s custody. Another victim is currently staying with a friend in Abu Dhabi.”

Princesa had met with the Abu Dhabi Criminal and Investigation Division head of organized crime cases Col. Rashid Bursheed on the situation of the Filipino victims. It was not immediately clear what was the result of the meeting

She also reported that four more Filipino women were detained after they were found to be voluntarily engaging in prostitution.

The Abu Dhabi police confiscated $18,000 and UAE dirham (AED) 12,128 (around $3,314) in cash. The police also discovered an additional $14,754 under the accounts of one of the suspects.

The consulate general in Macau had to intervene for the release of 10 out of 11 Filipinos arrested because they were victims of an illegal recruiter. The 11th is a suspected member of the syndicate.

Consul General in Macau Rene Villapando said the 10 victims were made to believe they will be given jobs if they travel to Macau on tourist visas. But after paying exorbitant placement fees and spending two months in Macau, they still didn’t get the jobs promised them.

“We reiterate our call to those seeking jobs in Macau to deal with legitimate recruiting agencies that are authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration,” said Villapando.

The United States has kept the Philippines on its Tier 2 Watchlist on human trafficking due to rampant cases and being identified as a transit point, source and destination of trafficked persons.