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Pinoy Abroad

Binay eyes initial deployment of 50 PHL nurses to Germany in 2nd half 2013


Vice President Jejomar Binay over the weekend voice optimism the first batch of Filipino nurses may be deployed to Germany before the end of 2013.
 
Binay, who is on a visit to Germany, also expressed interest in exploring a possible mutual recognition of academic qualifications between the Philippines and Germany.
 
"We hope that the initial batch of 50 nurses will be deployed in 2013 and the next batch of 500 deployed by 2014," Binay, the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker concerns, told German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, according to a news release posted Sunday on the Office of the Vice President website.
 
He thanked Westerwelle for Germany’s “confidence in and high regard for” Filipino nurses.
 
“For the Philippines, it means an opportunity for our nurses to secure beneficial employment. And for Germany, it addresses the shortage of nurses in the country,” he said.
 
Last March, the Philippines and Germany signed a labor agreement that may see the initial deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany in later 2013.
 
The agreement, recently ratified by President Benigno Aquino III, is expected to benefit both sides by protecting Filipino workers' rights and addressing the needs of Germany’s aging population.
 
“The implementing rules and regulations of the agreement are being finalized now,” Binay told Westerwelle.
 
Investments
 
Meanwhile, Binay urged Germany to invest more in the Philippines, citing positive economic indicators and renewed political stability following the May 13 elections.
 
He said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told him Germany considers the Philippines a "powerhouse" economy.
 
Binay and Westerwelle held talks on bilateral issues covering trade, investment, and the hiring of Filipino nurses.
 
Also, Binay urged Germany side to invest in the Philippines’ human capital. He particularly urged cooperation in education, particularly the dual system of vocational training.
 
He said such cooperation is timely considering the K to 12 reform in the Philippine educational system.  — ELR, GMA News
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