The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) informed the public that the interview session for all nurses and caregiver applicants for Japanhas started on February 1, Monday. It will go on until February 6, Saturday at the POEA Head Office at Ortigas corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

As part of the agreement under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), the International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), the Japan-based agency that handles the recruitment is set to hire 77 nurses and 101 caregivers. Chosen applicants will be deployed to various health and caregiving institutions in Japan.

A week ago, the applicants that were sourced from the online POEA Manpower Registry system attended a Pre-Employment Orientations Seminar that was held at  the POEA office. The seminar was required to ensure that aspiring applicants are prepared to the challenges that come with working and living abroad. It also discuss the Japanese culture and the required language training.

The nurses that will be chosen for deployment would have to undergo six-month Japanese language training and accept on-the-job training at the hospitals where they will be assigned. To be eligible for employment as a registered nurse they need to pass a licensure examination in Japan

Meanwhile caregivers are required to complete a minimum of at least three

years on-the-job training before they can take the national examination for caregivers and work in Japan. Upon passing the exam, the work period for caregivers is still indefinite.

To make the language training requirements easier for Filipino nurses and caregivers, POEA Chief, Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, proposed to the officials of the JICWELS to hold part of the language training in the Philippinesinstead of only in Japan.

Manalili said, "The move is expected to benefit our nurses and caregivers as it will give them more time to be with their families as they learn the Japanese language at the same time."

Manalili explained that the on the job training though needs to be done in Japan. She is scheduled to visit Japanthis month to visit the various health care

institutions where Filipino nurses and caregivers conduct their trainings.

The POEA chief hopes to meet with her counterparts to discuss the arrangements for the entry of Filipinos in the health care sector as well as to negotiate for better terms and conditions for them.