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.
Stumble Upon
Del.icio.us
Buzz
The Philippine Government Should Sign More Bilateral Agreement Abroad for Pinoy Nurses
The Philippine government should struck more win-win deals with foreign countries interested in our Filipino nurses as well as other health professionals according to former DOH Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan.
In his keynote speech during the 27th anniversary of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD-DoST), Tan said there is a need for international support for ethical framework of recruitment, citing the high demand for Filipino nurses abroad.
You will note that not many Pinoys are happy with the JPEPA deal with Japan citing that this is too onerous to the Philippines and more one sided in favor of Japan. Although this is the case, the Agreement was implemented amidst protest to it.
Mr. Tan added that the Philippine government is forging now a joint or multi-country research data and action program on health human resource development among importing and exporting countries. He also hope that this year, we will be able to establish a Philippines-Canada, Philippines-Finland, and Philippines-Bahrain trust fund for human resource development given that these countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine government as equity partners in International Health Care in 2007 to 2008.
We are also hoping for the best. Kudos to Dr. Tan for his continuous support for Pinoy Nurses and healthworkers.