DOLE clarifies no hiring of caregivers, nurses for Japan

The Department of Labor and Employment clarified that there is no hiring of caregivers and nurses for Japan as mentioned in several reports.

DOLE acting secretary Danilo Cruz said despite the recent signing of the Japan Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement, Japan does not yet accept nurses and caregivers from the Philippines as the two countries are still set to sign a memorandum of understanding.

With this, Cruz warned illegal recruiters from taking advantage of the issue, as well as cautioned jobseekers to be wary and report to authorities suspected illegal recruiters.

Citing the report of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Rosalinda Baldoz, Cruz said recruitment for Japan would commence only upon the finalization of a memorandum of understanding between the Philippines and Japan.

In a press release, Cruz explained that the MOU is expected to follow the agreement formally forged by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during the 6th Leaders Summit of the Asia Europe Meeting in Helsinki, Finland last week.

He added that following the MOU, the recruitment and deployment of nurses and caregivers to Japan would be implemented by the POEA through its Government Placement Branch based on a government-to-government hiring system.

"The POEA is expected to announce the beginning of the formal recruitment process shortly, as based on the Agreement, and as soon as the MOU is in place," Cruz said.

The candidates for nursing and caregiving jobs in Japan will be selected by the Philippine government through POEA, and will be required to study the Japanese language for six months prior to the on-the-job training.

During the OJT, in which three years are given to nurses while four to caregivers, jobseekers should pass the stringent Japanese qualification examinations in order for them to work in Japan for a longer period, otherwise they will have to return to the Philippines.

Baldoz added that the terms of the proposed MOU will be very "cost-friendly" to those successful applicants, as they will not be required to pay a placement fee, and will be provided with free airfare and a six-month training in Japanese language. - Wenna A. Berondo/LPM