Austria recruiting Pinoy nurses

MANILA, Philippines — Austria has opened its doors to Filipino nurses, with local recruitment agencies reporting its addition to the list of countries hiring Filipino health care workers.

At least 28 Filipino nurses have already arrived in Burgenland – one of the nine federations comprising the country of Austria, according to Ma. Lourdes Capua, general manager of LRC Manpower Services International.

“This is the first deployment of Filipino nurses to Austria as confirmed by the Austrian embassy in Manila, “ Capua said, adding that 20 more Filipino nurses are set to depart for Burgenland in the next few weeks.

Austria, according to Capua, needs 1,700 nurses by 2030.

She said the newly hired nurses would do auxiliary work while studying German, the national language in Austria.

“They will receive 1200 EU or P73,120 during their German language studies,” Capua added, referring to the compensation during the duration of the learning program.

Once the Filipino nurses obtain a language certification and pass the Austrian Nursing Board Exams their monthly pay would be increased to 2600 EU, which is equivalent to P156,000, she noted.

Capua said the full board and accommodation of Filipino nurses would be shouldered by the hospital and their contracts would last for two years with fifteen days annual leave.

She added that all expenses for the deployment of the Filipino nurses, except for passports and medical exams, shall be covered by the employer.

There are around 35,000 Filipino nurses in Europe, of which 80 percent are in the United Kingdom. The remaining 20 percent are scattered in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain.