PNA appeals for increase in deployment cap for healthcare workers

The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) on Monday expressed hope that the government would increase the 7,000 deployment cap for healthcare workers who wish to work abroad.

PNA President Melvin Miranda said that the salary of nurses in the United States ranges from P120,000 to 250,000 a month, excluding benefits. Meanwhile, the salary offer for nurses starts at P300,000 in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), however, previously said that only 7,000 nurses are allowed for overseas employment this year.

“Actually, doon sa existing na cap, kino-consider po natin dito na sana pa maitaas. Kami naman ay nakikipagtulungan sa gobyerno para magkaroon ng data analytics that will really balance ‘yung supply and demand sa country,” Miranda told Dobol B TV.

(We are hoping that the existing cap will be increased. We are working with the government to gather data that will really balance the supply and demand in the country.)

“Pero hangga’t wala pa tayong nahahain sa ating mga nurses pagdating sa pagiging maayos ng kanilang salaries and compensation, patuloy na sila’y maghahangad para lumabas ng bansa,” he added.

(However, as long as we have not provided our nurses with the right salaries and compensation, they will continue seeking overseas employment.)

Health workers in the country have repeatedly asked the government for a higher pay and the release of their COVID-19 response benefits and allowances. Pending these, some of them opted to resign and look for another job, while some left the country for employment abroad.

Even President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself has agreed that the benefits accorded to nurses are not enough, considering their services and sacrifices to ensure the health of the public.

The Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday that the country needs 106,000 nurses both in public and private facilities and hospitals.

Aside from nurses, the country also has a shortage of doctors, pharmacists, radiologic technologists, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, midwives, and dentists.

Miranda, however, argued that nurses will not have job security in the Philippines if they are offered only a year of contractual service, as compared to the big-time offers in other countries.

“Even though they will offer plantila, so for the deployment program, for the one year contractual ang status ng ating mga nurses, I think this could not have a job security for our nurses lalo na kapag nag-offer na ang mga karatig bansa ng mga ganitong mga [especially if our neighboring countries offer these] salaries and compensation,” he said. —KBK, GMA News

PNA appeals for increase in deployment cap for healthcare workers
Source: Filipino Viral News PH