Japan to hire more nurses, caregivers

MANILA, Philippines - Japan is hiring more Filipino nurses and caregivers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced yesterday.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said recruitment is ongoing for the fifth batch of Filipino nurses and caregivers who will be hired under the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Those who will be deployed upon completion of all the requirements shall also be given the chance to become licensed nurses and practice their profession in Japan.

Cacdac said those who would qualify would undergo pre-employment orientation prior to being interviewed by the Japan International Corporation for Welfare Services. After passing the Jicwel interview, nurses and caregivers shall undergo six months of preparatory Japanese language training sponsored by the Japanese government.

Upon entry to Japan, those who would qualify would undergo another language training for six months.

In 2009, the Philippines and Japan entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the training and employment of candidate Filipino nurses and caregivers in Japanese health care facilities under the PJEPA.