A labor coalition in the Philippines has accused the European Union (EU) and other nations of poaching too many Filipino nurses and paramedical staff leaving the Southeast Asian nation struggling to cope with a shortage of medical professionals.
The Nagkaisa labor coalition, an umbrella organization representing many trade unions, said on Jan. 16 that EU nations like Germany as well as other advanced countries like the United Kingdom are recruiting too many Filipino nurses by offering them fat salary packages, which has resulted in fewer hands in local hospitals.
“These countries have the means to pay a higher salary package which has caused fewer nurses and caregivers with local hospitals,” Sonny Matula, president of the Nagkaisa labor coalition, the country’s largest workers’ organization, told UCA News.
According to him, the group has received reports which say visa fees are covered for health workers and other benefits offered to entice medical professionals to work in EU nations.
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