There is a high demand in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the US for Filipino health care workers, especially nurses.
In fact, 300 nurses in the UK are looking for a recruitment agency. The monthly salary is playing at P140,000.
But a minimum of 2 years of bedside experience is required, and one must also pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
“Marami talagang shortage ng nurses around the world and that is one of the reasons na tayo sa Pilipinas ‘yung ating mga nurses ay very much sought after… Mataas ang ating passing rate sa English proficiency,” said Perla Patricio, administrator of Industrial Personnel and Management Services, Inc. (IPAMS).
IPAMS also needs 100 nurses in the US. The salary is about P300,000 per month, but passing the National Council Licensure Examination is a strict requirement, and visa processing takes up to 2 years.
According to the POEA, the US is covered by the deployment cap imposed by the IATF on health care workers.
For this year, only 7,000 healthcare workers will be allowed to leave the country.
But if the number of health care workers in the country increases, the deployment cap can be changed or increased.
Some are exempted from the deployment cap, such as the UK and countries with agreements with the Philippine government.
Higher deployment cap in health workers being studied
This includes government-to-government hiring of 600 nurses in Germany. Some requirements have been simplified.
Instead of 2 years, only one year of experience is needed. It is also a requirement to pass the German language proficiency exam, but those willing to undergo German language training and exam at the employer’s expense will be accepted.
Only POEA can process all government-to-government hiring.
Simply register with POEA’s online services for the appointment of submission requirements to the manpower registry division.
The deadline is February 16 at the central office and February 18 at the regional offices.
Roughly 17,000 Filipino nurses signed overseas work contracts in 2019, but the Philippines put a temporary halt on that in 2020 to shore up its health sector as COVID-19 hospitalizations rose sharply.
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