(6.5K cap naabot na) DEPLOYMENT NG HCWs TIGIL MUNA

PANSAMANTALANG sinuspinde ng Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ang deployment ng healthcare workers (HCWs), partikular ang mga nurse, makaraang maabot na ang annual deployment cap na 6,500.

“Pursuant to POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 17, Series of 2020 and POEA Advisory No. 79, Series of 2021 on the lifting of the moratorium or temporary suspension on the deployment of nurses, nursing aides and nursing assistants, and increasing the annual deployment cap from 5,000 to 6,500, the Administration hereby announces that the said ceiling has been reached as of date,” pahayag ni POEA head Bernard Olalia sa Advisory No. 144 na may petsang Oktubre 26 subalit inilabas lamang noong Huwebes.

“In view of the above, the processing, issuance of overseas employment certificates (OECs) and the deployment of new hires for nurses, nursing aides, and nursing assistants are hereby suspended effective immediately,” dagdag ng ahensiya.

Hindi naman kasali sa temporary suspension ang HCWs na may OECs.

“Healthcare workers who were already issued with their corresponding OECs however are allowed to depart for their overseas employment. The suspension shall take effect until a new Resolution has been issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID),” sabi pa ng POEA.

Samantala, sinabi ni Olalia na hinihintay nila ang desisyon ng pamahalaan sa deployment cap na ipatutupad para sa susunod na taon.

“Still waiting for IATF guidance and Resolution,” aniya.

Sa kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic noong nakaraang taon ay nagtakda ang gobyerno ng 5,000 annual deployment cap sa newly hired healthcare workers para sa mission-critical skills.

Itinaas ang ceiling sa 6,500 noong Hunyo sa gitna ng mga panawagan na dagdagan ng pamahalaan ang mga manggagawa na ipadadala sa ibang bansa. PNA