Sustainable deployment of OFWs

What exactly does sustainable deployment of our workers overseas mean?

It means when we deploy workers in one particular line of work, such as nurses, to other countries, it should not result in the shortage of these workers here.

That’s the problem we experienced when other countries opened their doors to our doctors and scientists starting as far back as the 1960s, leading to what had been described as “brain drain.”

That’s what happened when the Middle East countries began to recruit our engineers and skilled construction workers to build their infrastructure.

It’s a problem the government, through the Department of Migrant Workers, wants to address as soon as possible.

According to the agency, they want to implement a policy of sustainable deployment of our OFWs so we both benefit.

The DMW wants the deployment of our OFWs to various countries to be a beneficial two-way exchange or a win-win situation for both sides.

Germany, for instance, has expressed interest in hiring not only nurses but also other skilled workers and those in the hospitality industry.

The Philippines and Germany have signed a joint declaration of interest based on what’s called the 10-year-old Triple Win Program, which primarily involved recruitment of Filipino nurses to work in that European country.

This is government-to-government recruitment of nurses was agreed upon ten years ago.

The Philippines and Germany are now exploring opportunities for the recruitment of other skilled Filipino workers that could also be a win-win situation for both parties.

The German government wants to hire electrical engineers, electricians and workers in the hospitality sector, such as hotels and other facilities catering to travel and tourism.

President Marcos Jr. has declared the countries that have expressed interest in hiring Filipino workers, such as nurses, should also be part of the solution of the so-called “brain drain” problem by assisting us in the education and training of our nurses and other professionals.

Other countries, including Canada and Austria, have expressed interest in hiring Filipino nurses to fill the requirements of their own health and medical systems.

Negotiations with these countries are ongoing to address the shortage not only of nurses here but also of teaching staff for the nursing profession.

The agreements are also expected to result in recipient countries providing scholarships for nursing students and assisting in upgrading hospital facilities, training facilities, and faculty development in the Philippines.

If this is what’s called sustainable deployment, we’re all for it.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.