Naghahanap ang Italy ng libu-libong qualified Filipino nurses dahil sa kakulangan nito sa healthcare workers, habang itinutulak ang bagong bilateral labor agreement sa Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial, inihain ang proposal sa meeting nila ni Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci noong April sa Italy. Sa pulong, tinukoy ni Schillaci ang Pilipinas bilang “key partner” sa pagtugon sa mataas na demand sa healthcare system ng Italy.
“We hope to start the negotiations soon with the view of signing the agreement by the end of this year,” ani Imperial.
Sinabi ni Imperial na ang Department of Foreign Affairs at interagency group na pinangungunahan ng Department of Migrant Workers at Department of Health ay nagsasagawa na ng consultation sa proposed draft agreement.
Kapag nalagdaan, ito ang magiging unang government-to-government labor deal ng Pilipinas at Italy para sa health professionals. Layunin nitong magtatag ng “structured, transparent, and regulated mechanism for the recruitment and deployment” ng Filipino nurses sa Italy.
“What we have currently is a general BLA with Italy, which we are also negotiating and updating. The Italians said they are open to a government-to-government system that would eliminate private recruitment agencies,” ani Imperial.
Nangangailangan ngayon ang Italy ng humigit-kumulang 15,000 hanggang 20,000 nurses, karamihan sa hospitals at clinics sa labas ng Rome, Milan, at Florence.
Ayon sa Philippine Embassy in Rome, malakas ang interes ng Italy sa Filipino health professionals dahil sa “high regard” nito sa “competence, professionalism, and quality of care” ng Filipino nurses.
“We welcome Italy’s recognition of the value that Filipino nurses bring to its healthcare system,” ani Imperial.
“A formal bilateral framework will help ensure that recruitment is orderly, fair, and responsive to the needs of both countries, while safeguarding the welfare of our healthcare professionals.”
Sa ilalim ng regulatory requirements ng Italy, kailangang may Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree ang Filipino nurses. Kailangan din ang recognition of credentials, registration with professional bodies, Italian language proficiency na hindi bababa sa B2 level, at completion of required professional training.
Sa parehong April 24 meeting, sinabi ni Schillaci na palalawigin ng Italy ang work validity ng Filipino nurses na kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho roon ng dagdag na dalawang taon, mula 2027 hanggang 2029.
Ayon sa Philippine Embassy in Rome, mananatiling valid ang employment contracts habang may bisa ang kanilang riconoscimento regionale o regional professional recognition.
Ang mga nurse na ito ay pinayagang magtrabaho sa Italy noong coronavirus pandemic sa exceptional basis kahit hindi dumaan sa mahigpit na requirements. Nakatakda sanang mag-expire ang kanilang kontrata sa December 31, 2027.
“This is a very positive and practical outcome for our Filipino nurses already in Italy. The extension ensures continuity while providing greater security in their employment,” ani Imperial.
Tinalakay din sa meeting ang cooperation sa health at well-being ng Filipino community sa Italy, kabilang ang concerns related to their lifespan. Inihain ng Philippine side ang collaboration sa programs para suportahan ang long-term health outcomes, na tinanggap ng Italian Health minister.
Inilarawan ng dalawang panig ang discussions bilang “productive and forward-looking”, kasabay ng commitment na palakasin ang cooperation sa healthcare, labor mobility, at community welfare. /Bistado