The Department of Labor and Employment informed that Japan is set to train and hire nurses and caregivers for the year 2009. Japan initially needs 200 nurses and 300 caregivers. The recruitment is the result of the recently ratified Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

The memorandum of understanding that allowed the recruitment of Filipino nurses as candidate-kaigofukushishi and caregivers as candidate-kangoshi to Japan was agreed upon by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS).

The agreement was signed by POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili and Takashi Tsunoda, managing director of JICWELS and took place at the Blas Ople Development Center in Intramuros Manila. The MOU is governed by the Framework for the Movement of Natural Persons of JPEPA which takes effect on Dec. 11, 2008.

According to the Labor Secretary, the MOU lists the tasks expected from the two countries as well as the provisions that would guarantee the welfare of Filipino nurses and caregivers in Japan.

Roque said that the first 200 nurses and 300 caregivers will be screened by the POEA which will then be endorsed to JICWElS. The JICWELS will be the one to find hospitals and institutions to match pre-qualified nurses and caregivers  

Employment contract of Filipino nurses and caregivers will be fully transparent and they are entitled to receive the same salaries as their Japanese counterparts, provided that their duties and qualifications are the same.

POEA Administrator, Jennifer Manalili said that hired applicants will be required to undergo a six-month language and culture training prior to employment. While training, they will receive an allowance of 40,000 yen or Php21,000 a month.

Manalili said, "The language training shall help them prepare to eventually take the Japanese licensure examination. The examinations can be taken not more than three chances within three years in the case of candidate-nurses, and once on the 4th year of stay in the case of candidate-caregivers."

After the language training, Filipino nurses becomes a nursing assistant and be under the supervision of a Japanese Kangoshi to gain familiarity in the Japanese system. They get a a salary of USD 2,800. Nurses from the Philippines who wil pass the Japanese nurses' licensure examination can receive a monthly salary of USD 3,500.