First Batch of Filipino Nurses and Caregivers Off to Work in Japan

270 nurses and caregivers hired under the very controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) are leaving Sunday to work in Japan’s various hospitals. The group total is broken down into 92 candidate nurses and 188 caregivers

The OFW’s will first receive language training for six months before being deployed in their respective health institutions. The health workers are first classified as candidate nurses and caregivers until they pass a professional exam that would give them full-fledged nurses and caregivers status in Japan. The nurses and caregivers will receive an average salary of P75,000 per month. This is considered small, but since they are undergoing training, this can be considerd as acceptable.

The licensure examination that the nurses must take will be on February 2010. With the caregivers it is different, they will need at least three years work experience before they can take their certification examination. Under their contract, the OFW nurses and caregivers are eligible to work in Japan for three years and may work there continuously if they pass the examination.

The JPEPA treaty, opens Japan to the entry of 1,000 Filipino caregivers and nurses in two years as well as some other Philippine exports. But critics have pointed out that the deal is one sided in favor of Japan because in turn it allows Japan to dump their toxic garbage in the Philippines. Adding to the controversy is some confidential clauses in the treaty that the government doesn’t want to reveal.

If they can’t make it via this route, they can always try applying for a scholarship in Japan which is offered regulary by the Japanese government embassies.

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