GPCCI hails new Germany, PHL labor pacts for Pinoy HCWS, professionals
THE Philippines and Germany have just signed two new labor agreements that will enhance ties for the deployment of overseas Filipino workers in the health-care industry and other professions.
One of the bilateral pacts signed by the German Federal Minister of Health Professor Karl Lauterbach and former labor secretary Silvestre Bello III was the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between their countries which came into force on June 3 with the deployment of Filipino health-care workers (HCWS) to Germany.
The accord aims to enhance the recruitment procedures for Filipino nurses under the private recruitment track Triple Win, and include more opportunities for Filipino health-care professionals. The agreement ensures the fair treatment and protection of Filipino HCWS who apply through the German Agency for Health and Care Professionals—a nongovernment institution.
“We are glad to see this agreement come to life after all the challenges brought about by the pandemic in the health-care rethe cruitment sector,” says German-philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “The deployment of Filipino HCWS in Germany has always been an important topic for us as a chamber… This recent progress indicates a bright future for the sector, and also shows a significant milestone in the history of Philippine-german bilateral relations.”
Health-care sector roundtable
THE GPCCI organized a virtual roundtable on June 17, with representatives from the German Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) as speakers. It saw the attendance of more than 77 participants from various healthcare recruitment firms.
“The aim in coming up with this MOU was to provide an avenue for deployment through private agencies despite the deployment cap.” said Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel in her keynote regarding the said labor agreements signed in Germany. “This…will hopefully lead to expanding exchange for a more mutually benefitting cooperation between Germany and the Philippines.”
On the salient features of the MOU on the HCWS, POLO Labor Attaché Atty. Delmer Cruz stated that the pact will provide a common legal framework for both countries which will direct the recruitment and placement of HCWS. He also noted that the memorandum expands the coverage of skills and specialties covering physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, biomedical scientists and other allied health professions.
Also, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration represented by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the German Federal Employment Agency led by Director for International Relations Alexander Wilhelm, signed a letter of intent that will facilitate the recruitment of Filipinos in other skilled professions such as cooks, electrical mechanics and fitters, electronics servicers, hotel receptionists, plumbers, and waiters.