273 Pinoy nurses, caregivers leave for Japan

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 273 Filipina nurses and caregivers left yesterday for Japan as part of an agreement between the Japanese government and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The group left in two batches aboard Japan Airlines JAL 742 at 8 a.m. and JAL 746 at 4 p.m.

Japanese Economic Minister Tomochika Uyama sent off the nurses and caregivers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Uyama said the nurses and caregivers have entered into contracts with Japanese hospitals and care-giving institutions.

The group will study Japanese language and culture for six months and receive allowances while studying.

After six months, they will proceed to their designated hospitals and care-giving institutions where they will receive full salary as stipulated in their contracts.

Uyama said Filipino medical practitioners have a chance to take the Nurse’s and Caregiver’s Examination after three years in Japan.

If they pass, they will acquire a license and will be allowed to work beyond their contracts.

“We need a maximum of 1,000 nurses and caregivers in three to four years, as agreed upon with the POEA. We will discuss it with the POEA if another batch is needed,” Uyama said.

School nurse Valerie Olivar, 33, from Las Piñas, said she filed her application online after reading The Philippine STAR and watching news last January.

Olivar said she will receive an allowance of P18,000 for six months while studying, and a monthly salary of about 160,000 yen or an equivalent of P85,000 as a caregiver. –Rudy Santos, Philippine Star