Filipino Nurses Abroad are Exposed to Swine Flu H1N1 Virus
The Philippine government is short of issuing a global advisory to Filipinos, most especially Filipino nurses and other healthworkers, to avoid travel to countries with swine flu cases to prevent the further spread of the virus in the Philippines and other parts of the globe. However, the migration to other countries and coming back for vacation continues everyday.
The government has advised to temporarily avoid unnecessary travel more particularly to the United States and Mexico. As of this time, no reported Filipino nationals have been infected with the virus anywhere in the world. However, the Philippine government is still concerned with the possible spread of the virus that could infect thousands of Filipino nurses working abroad.
Among the precautionary measures included in the advisory are to avoid congested areas, to regularly wash hands, consultation with a general practitioner when possible symptoms of the virus starts like coughs, sore throat, headaches and muscle pain.
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No Layoffs for Filipino Nurses and other OFWs in France
There is an estimated 40,000 overseas Filipino workers in France, mostly health professionals such as Pinoy nurses and caregivers privately employed by families. The new French envoy to Manila Thierry Borja De Mozota has said French employers are keeping their jobs despite the layoffs in many parts of the world caused by global recession.
“At the moment, there is no sign of reduction of workers of families in France. They are not working for companies, so there is no reason for them to lose their jobs,” he told reporters during a reception in his residence in Makati recently.
The new ambassador said that the French government recognizes the contribution of the Filipino community to the French economy. However, raised concern on the estimated 33,000 undocumented OFWs working and living in France. Thus, part of the plans of his new office is to work on a bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and France that would allow Filipino workers in France to obtain their legal working permits.
“This agreement would give undocumented Filipino workers in France a chance to legalize their stay. This will ensure that Filipinos already in France will be provided an avenue to get working permit as soon as they ask for it,” he said.
The two governments having been trying to seal a labor deal for the past 2 years that aims to attract professionals like nurses and doctors, as well as those fashion designers and entrepreneurs, into France.
This would open up new opportunities to those Filipino nurses who wants to work in Europe.