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AMID COVID-19 EMERGENCY

Nurses’ group hits POEA, DOLE for overseas deployment suspension


A group of Filipino nurses on Sunday lashed out at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment for freezing the the deployment of health workers abroad.

Filipino Nurses United (FNU) president Maristela Abenojar, in a statement, slammed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) over the suspension of deployment of health workers abroad.

Abenojar pointed out that "labor abuses" in the Philippines against health workers pushed them to pursue employment abroad.

“Overworked, underpaid at exploited ang mga nurses dito sa ating bansa, ‘yan ang nagtutulak sa kanilang maghanap ng trabaho sa labas ng bansa,” she said.

“Hindi makatarungan  na nagdeclare ang POEA at DOLE ng travel ban kung gustong magtrabaho sa labas ng bansa ang mga nurses,” she added.

Abenojar challenged the government to offer decent pay, benefits, and work condition to health workers to convince them to stay. 

She said the government has even no alternative plan for these nurses who will be restricted from getting a job abroad.

“Ang FNU ay matagal nang nananawagan ng mass hiring lalo na ngayong may COVID-19. Hiring na may security of tenure at just benefits hindi bilang volunteers,” she said.

The Department of Health earlier called on medical professionals and heath workers volunteer as frontliners at referral hospitals for COVID-19 with a P500 compensation daily.

Later on, the DOH apologized for its P500 allowance for volunteers after receiving criticism due to the measly amount.

“Ang outright ban sa mga health professionals/health workers na lumabas ng bansa sa panahon na may COVID-19 ay walang konsiderasyon sa aktwal na kalagayan ng nurses, lalo na yung may mga contracts na at complete processed documents na bilang OFWs,” Abenojar said.

“Malaking halaga na ang kanilang nagastos (ang iba ay nabaon na sa utang) para sa paghahanda na makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Ang tanging hangad nila ay maitaguyod sa krisis ang kanilang mga pamilya,” she added.

The POEA earlier issued Resolution No. 09, series of 2020, which orders a temporary suspension on the deployment of healthcare workers abroad in a bid to ramp up health workforce in the country amid the COVID-19 threat.

Covered in the temporary deployment ban are the following:

  •     Medical doctor/physician
  •     Nurse
  •     Microbiologist
  •     Molecular biologist
  •     Clinical analyst
  •     Respiratory therapist
  •     Pharmacist
  •     Laboratory technician
  •     X-ray/radiologic technician
  •     Nursing assistant/nursing aid
  •     Operator of medical equipment
  •     Supervisor of health services and personal care
  •     Repairman of medical-hospital equipment

As of April 7, a total of 21 Filipino doctors already died due to the COVID-19, according to data from the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.

At least 252 healthcare workers in the Philippines were infected by the virus as of April 8, according to the DOH. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News

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