Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement Advances Filipino Care Workers
The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement is set to send the 17th batch of Filipino nurses and caregivers to Japan this June. This initiative highlights the strong collaboration between the Japanese Embassy in Manila and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
This group consists of 218 candidates, including 19 nurses and 199 caregivers. They will begin their work in Japan after completing six months of Preparatory Japanese Language Training here in the Philippines. The candidates were hired through a government-to-government arrangement coordinated by the DMW and the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), local sources noted.
Send-Off Ceremony Marks New Opportunities
A send-off ceremony took place on June 4 to honor these future healthcare professionals before their deployment. The embassy reported that this program is part of the JPEPA, signed in 2006, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in healthcare.
Since the first batch was deployed in 2009, over 4,000 Filipino nurses and certified care workers have joined the program. After their initial language training in the Philippines, they will undergo an additional six-month intensive Japanese language course in Japan. This prepares them for work in hospitals and caregiving facilities.
Free Training and Support for Candidates
All training stages are provided free of charge, including daily living allowances during the courses. Once the language requirements are met, candidates will be assigned to their respective institutions. There, they will receive further training to help them secure Japanese national licenses in nursing or caregiving.
Officials attending the send-off included Japan Embassy’s Minister for Economic Affairs, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and representatives from the Japan Foundation, Manila. These leaders praised the program for opening doors to better career opportunities and fostering international goodwill.
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