The government is now exploring other ways, including the imposition of a mandatory local service scheme, to retain health-care workers (HCW) in the country, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the government is considering requiring new HCWs to render service in the local health care system before they can qualify for employment abroad.
He noted that HCWs were already indirectly subjected to such a requirement before since most overseas employers are partial to those who have spent one to two years working in local medical institutions.
However, the labor chief said some applicants are able to circumvent this by leaving the country as caregivers, which do not require such experience.
Another option, Laguesma said, will be to improve the current working conditions of “overworked” HCWs to encourage them to remain in the country.
“We have to reach those who are overworked. It doesn’t mean if they are being paid overtime pay, that is already enough. We have to also ensure their health and safety in the health industry,” Laguesma said in a recent press briefing.
The government is now considering the said measures amid the reported shortage of personnel in local health facilities.
During the onset of Covid-19 crisis, the government imposed a deployment cap of 5,000 for some categories of HCWs to ensure the country will have a sufficient pool of professionals for its pandemic response.
The deployment cap was eventually increased to 7,500 amid the appeal of HCWs, who want to work abroad.
Last month, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier said it is now working with other concerned agencies to “rationalize” the said deployment cap.
Laguesma backed the said initiative, saying workers have the right to travel abroad and seek employment.