Manila - A Philippine labour organization on Friday expressed alarm over a spate of suicides among Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates.

According to Migrante, an alliance of Filipino migrant workers, at least seven Filipino workers have committed suicide in the seven-state Middle Eastern federation since the start of the year.

Nhel Morona, secretary general of Migrante's chapter in the Emirates, said in a statement that Migrante learned about the suicides after the families of the victims sought the group's assistance in investigating the deaths.

The victims - two men and five women - either hanged themselves or jumped from buildings, Morona said.

Migrante was still trying to confirm two more reported suicides in Abu Dhabi, he said.

Migrante urged Philippine authorities in the United Arab Emirates to investigate the suicides to rule out any foul play.

More than 8 million Filipinos work and live abroad. Many of them are contract workers employed as domestic helpers, nurses and construction workers. dpa