The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) has requested for the lifting of the deployment cap for Filipino healthcare workers (HCW) bound for Germany after reaching the 6,500 quota.
“After reaching the extended cap again, and the introduction of a new batch of 5,000 licensed nurses in July, we appeal that the Philippine government should review the current deployment ban. Many of the HCWs in our business community have signed a working contract and the employers are waiting,” said GPCCI president Stefan Schmitz in a statement.
Schmitz said Germany needs about 50,000 HCWs and some 2,000 healthcare workers from the Philippines are waiting for deployment.
Most of these Filipino HCWs have already exerted efforts, time, and costs just to qualify to high standards of their German employers, but the deployment cap prevents them from being set out to their assignments, he added.
Lifting the ban, Schmitz said, would mean a win-win situation for the Philippines and Germany.
He cited as an example the positive impact on the Philippine economy in terms of remittances as well as in resolving unemployment issues of Filipino healthcare workers.
“The appropriate skills and qualifications of Filipino healthcare workers remain to be the important interest of Germany,” said GPCCI Deputy Executive Director Charlotte Bandelow.
GPCCI belongs to the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) that is represented by 140 offices in 92 countries.