270 nurses, caregivers off to Japan

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
Reporter, INQUIRER.net
Posted date: May 08, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) A total of 270 candidate nurses and caregivers hired under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) are leaving Sunday for Japan to work in various institutions, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) has announced.

The first batch to have been employed under the controversial pact, the 92 candidate nurses and 188 caregivers, received their visa, contract and plane ticket Thursday in ceremonies attended by labor and foreign affairs and Japanese officials led by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makato Katsura at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

”This will be the turning point in your career as well as the welfare of your families and children,” said POEA deputy administrator Hans Cacdac.

Katsura said the departure of the first batch “symbolizes the beginning of a new era of partnership between the two countries.”

”The relationship is being raised to a higher level,” Katsura added.

JPEPA, which entered into force early December 2008, opens Japan—the world’s second largest economy—to 1,000 Filipino caregivers and nurses in two years.

But Labor Assistance Secretary Reydeluz Conferido said that “unfortunately, some of the hospitals backed out because of the global financial crisis.”

The health workers applied through the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), the counterpart body of POEA.

Under the JPEPA, they would be enrolled in training courses, which include language training for six months, before being deployed in their respective health institutions.

The health workers would be classified as candidate nurses and caregivers until they pass the licensure examination that would elevate them to the status of being full-fledged nurses and caregivers.

The first licensure examination for nurses is scheduled on February 2010 and would be held every year. Candidate caregivers, meanwhile, need at least three-years of work experience before they can take the national certification examination.

Under their contract, the health workers are eligible to work in Japan for three years and may work there continuously if they pass the examination.

The nurses and caregivers will receive an average salary of P75,000 per month.