German envoy: Hiring health workers part of agreement with Philippines, not 'piracy'

Nursing students from Centro Escolar University (CEU) gather for the annual capping and pinning ceremony at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on September 30, 2022.

STAR / Edd Gumban

MANILA, Philippines — Germany has denied that it "pirates" — a term that means luring workers away from their current jobs — Filipino nursing students to fill the gap in their healthcare system, citing its almost decade-old agreement with the Philippines that facilitates the deployment of healthcare workers.

Historically, millions of Filipinos — including healthcare workers — have been leaving the Philippines for better pay and opportunities abroad, a practice that has meant billions of pesos in remittances to families in the Philippines for the past five decades.

"[Germany] works closely with [Philippine] schools, colleges, and agencies in our recruitment efforts. [Germany] offers good salaries, social services, and upskilling for [Filipino] healthcare workers," German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel said in a Twitter post on Tuesday.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/17/2238233/german-envoy-hiring-health-workers-part-agreement-philippines-not-piracy