DOLE disappointed over Japan’s hiring scheme for Filipino nurses

MANILA, JANUARY 23, 2011 (STAR) By Sheila Crisostomo – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has expressed disappointment over the hiring scheme for Filipino nurses and caregivers under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

DOLE Undersecretary Danny Cruz said they are “not satisfied” because only a limited number of Filipino nurses would be hired by Japan under the agreement.

“Japan initially announced plans to hire 1,000 Filipino nurses and caregivers but for the third batch only 137 will be deployed,” he said.

Cruz said they were also not satisfied with the licensure examination the nurses are required to take before they can work permanently in Japan.

“The exam is difficult even for Japanese nurses, although the Japanese government promised to revise the exam. In the past licensure exam, only one Filipino passed. It was thought that no one would pass because it is hard to read and write in Kanji, the Japanese language. It’s more difficult than Nihonggo,” he added.

He hopes the passing rate will increase when the examination is revised.

Under the program, those aspiring to work in Japan as nurses and caregivers would undergo a six-month training on the Japanese language and on-site training in their hospitals.

After this, they can take Japan’s licensure examination.