The first batch of 27 Filipino nurses that were recently deployed in Northern Spain (Basque Country) receives a warm welcome by the Philippine Embassy in Madridupon their arrival. Majority of these nurses (15) came from the province of Nueva Vizcaya, while the rest are from other provinces.

The Philippine Embassy held an orientation for the newly hired last July 19. The event was opened to other Filipinos residing in the Getxo-Bilbao area of Northern Spain as well so they also benefited from the consular services. 

Led by Chargé d’Affaires Celia Anna Feria, the nurses received relevant information that will help them adjust to their new workplace. Aside from insights about the culture and society of the Basque country, the labor policies and conditions of Spain were also discussed. Other embassy officials that joined Feria in the orientation were Consul Marciano de Borja, Labor Attache Ramon Tionloc, and Welfare Officer Ma. Consolacion Marquez.

The hiring of Filipino nurses in Spain is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Migration Flows between the government of the Philippines and the said European county. The MOU that was signed in June 2006 states that Spain will allow the entry of Filipino health professionals in their country.

The hired nurses initially deployed as nursing assistants and caregivers were assigned in different homes for the aged institutions called residencias de mayores in Basque. Their one year work contract is renewable.

Within a period of six to nine months, the nurses will be evaluated by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The evaluation will determine if they are worthy to be given official accreditation so they can practice their profession as regular nurses in Spain.

Getting an accreditation will also mean that their salary will be the same as their Spanish counterparts.

It is said that in spite of the current global financial crisis, demand for foreign nurses and other healthcare workers is still high inMadrid. The Philippine government expects that more Filipino healthcare workers will be hired in the Basque country in the coming months as they continue negotiations with possible Spanish employers.