Hundreds of caregivers needed in Japan, Israel —POEA

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on Saturday announced that the Philippines is conducting a government-to-government deployment of health care workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said 500 home-based caregivers will be deployed in Israel, while 300 care workers will be Japan-bound.

“Meron po tayong opening ngayon. Ito po ‘yung tinatawag naming government-to-government deployment natin papunta po ng bansang Israel. Meron pong 500 tayong pupunan na caregivers po,” Olalia said.

“Maliban po sa Israel, meron din po tayo sa Japan, ‘yung careworkers natin. Ang equivalent nito caregivers din... 300 naman ‘yung pangangailangan po ng Japan, at ito rin po ay government to government deployment po,” he added.

Olalia said those hired in Israel will be paid P100,000 monthly for a five-year contract. They will also stay with their employers.

The administrator said those applying to work in Israel must have finished their NC2 TESDA courses, and they need a National Bureau of Investigation clearance.

“[H]indi po sinasabi kung college graduate or what basta po NC2, meron silang nakuha sa TESDA accredited facility na NC2. Pagkatapos meron po silang NBI clearance,” Olalia said.

“[A]nd then dapat wala po silang kamag-anak doon sa Israel na pupuntahan po nila at first po nila na pupunta sa Israel,” he added.

But those who were repatriated from Israel due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may no longer return.

“Alam niyo po pagka hindi pa tapos ‘yung kontrata nila, hindi po nila iiwan ang kanilang trabaho, continious po ‘yun. So ‘yung mga na-repatriate ibig sabihin tapos na po ‘yung kanilang kontrata,” Olalia clarified. 

“So minsan lang po ang opportunity natin na mag-trabaho sa bansang Israel as caregiver,” he added.

Olalia said the caregivers will also not be allowed to go home during their contract.

Meanwhile, care workers interested in Japan's offer must be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with o without a PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) license, and must be idle.

“Hindi rin po [kailangan ng work experience]. Ang importante po dito ay meron po siyang Bachelor of Science [degree], may diploma po siya ng BS nursing,” Olalia said.

“Or pwede rin po siyang nagtapos lamang ng kahit anong kurso ng apat na taon basta meron po siya nung tinatawag nating TESDA NC2 sa caregiver, caregiving course,” he added.

The applicants must also pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

“Ito medyo may katagalan po, eh. Ito ‘yung anim na tinatawag nating 6-months intensive preparatory Japanese language training. Kailangan po nilang mapasa ‘yung N5 level,” Olalia said.

According to Olalia, care workers in Japan will have their own lodging and will work in hospitals or facilities.  —LBG, GMA News