MANILA, Philippines – The governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany signed two new labor agreements to enhance partnerships for the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the healthcare industry and other professional services.
Memorandum of Understanding in Filipino Healthcare Deployment
One of the bilateral pacts signed by the German Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach and DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Germany and the Philippines which came into fruition on 03 June 2022 on the deployment of Filipino healthcare 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 healthcare professionals. The agreement ensures the fair treatment and protection of Filipino healthcare workers who apply through the German Agency for Health and Care Professionals (DeFa), a non-governmental institution.
“We are glad to see this agreement come to life after all the challenges brought about by the pandemic in the healthcare recruitment sector.” says GPCCI Executive Director Mr. Christopher Zimmer. “The deployment of Filipino HCWs in Germany has always been an important topic for us as a chamber and this recent progress indicates a bright future for the sector and also shows a significant milestone in the history of Philippine-German bilateral relations.”
GPCCI Healthcare Sector Roundtable
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) organized a virtual roundtable discussion on 17 June 2022, with representatives from the German Embassy Manila and the Philippine Overseas Labor & Office (POLO) as the speakers. It was attended by over 77 participants from different companies in the health care recruitment sector.
German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel graced at the start of the event with statements regarding the said labor agreements signed in Germany.
“The aim in coming up with this MOU was to provide an avenue for deployment through private agencies despite the deployment cap.”says German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel. “This agreement will hopefully lead to expanding the exchange for a more mutually benefitting cooperation between Germany and the Philippines.”
Atty. Delmer Cruz, Labor Attaché from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office talked about the salient features of the MoU on the HCWs. In the discussion, he stated that the MoU will provide a common legal framework for the Philippines and Germany, that will direct the recruitment and placement of HCWs. He also noted that the MoU expands the coverage of skills and specialties which includes physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, biomedical scientists and other allied health professions.
Opportunities in other professions
Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), represented by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the German Federal Employment Agency represented 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.
GPCCI belongs to the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) that is represented by 140 offices in 92 countries. GPCCI is the official representation of German businesses in the Philippines; a bilateral membership organization with around 300 members; and a service provider to companies in their market entry and expansion.
