Around 10,000 medical workers have been allowed to go abroad amid the temporary suspension on the deployment of health personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administrator (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia explained majority of those to be deployed are returning nurses or those who spent a vacation in the country but were stuck.
“Pinapayagan natin ‘yung ating mga agency hires na nurses. Ito namang mga agency hires na mga ito ay mga idene-deploy ng mga licensed recruitment agencies kung saan mayroon silang napirmahang kontrata (We are permitting nurses hired by agencies. They are those deployed by licensed recruitment agencies with signed contracts [as of August 31]),” Olalia said.
Health workers who were accepted under bilateral labor agreements with complete requirements as of August 31 have also been allowed to leave the country.
The POEA is open to expand the exemption in case of formal appeals on the matter. – Report from Louisa Erispe
