[pinoy_guy]

RP eyes Finland as new destination for nurses

09/18/2007 | 05:28 PM

The Philippines is looking at Finland as a new destination for Filipino nurses, caregivers and other healthcare workers.

“Finland’s rapidly ageing population presents labor opportunities for Filipino nurses and healthcare workers," said Zeneida Angara Collinson, the Philippine ambassador to the Northern European state.

A Finnish healthcare and social care manpower company plans to hire an initial batch of 100 nurses from the Philippines next year and in 2009, the ambassador said.

A pilot group of 20 nurses will travel to Finland in 2008 to undergo Finnish training and language studies in preparation for their employment that will entitle them to benefits and other privileges enjoyed by their Finnish counterparts.

As of 2003, Filipinos in Finland were estimated at 580, of which 87% or 505 are Filipino citizens while 75 have acquired Finnish citizenship.

some good news for a change. I hope this pushes through.

the Philippine Government has to help the 600,000+ nursing students find jobs when they graduate in a couple of years.

[nursemich]

im all ears and eyes in this news... i haven't started on any requirements for USA yet... maybe il start on this country though..

[caroladybelle]

Are they part of the EU????

[tantrum]

Originally Posted by caroladybelle

Are they part of the EU????

Yes, they are part of EU. They can probably take a few and learning Finnish is not easy.

[lawrence01]

This seems to be on the same line as w/ Spain (also EU btw). Both are just pilot programs, so the success and continuation of the program will depend entirely on the first batches. The Spanish Gov't already said out straight that what they are more concern about was fulfillment of contracts and no flip-floppers. They know what's happening in the U.S.

The moment an employer complains of non-fulfillment of contract, out the head goes and so does the pilot programs.

If the first batches will give a good impression then they might increase deployment but I'm sure EU borne nurses have first crack of employment w/c is prob. one of the reasons that deployment are limited but over-all it's a good thing. They are giving Filipinos a chance. Hope, no one spoils it for the rest.

[Geena]

This is good news. Touchy time though. They are in the middle of a huge industrial action at the moment. 13 000 unionized nurses left their resignations after their demands for a justified pay increase was not met. They're hoping to settle by the 20th November and I have a feeling the nurses are not backing out this time.

The cost of living is high as in all the nordic countries. Monthly pay for a RN is approx USD2600. After the taxman takes 35+% and you pay rent and utilities there*s not much left. But it is a lovely country - clean, small population, low crime, good healthcare.

[dave787]

im sure therequirments is you MUST know how to speak Finnnish

[Geena]

Not only speak - but write. Now that calls for serious motivation..

[elkpark]

the Philippine Government has to help the 600,000+ nursing students find jobs when they graduate in a couple of years.

Why is it the Philippine government's job to find them jobs? Did the government ask them to go to nursing school? (I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything -- I'm just sincerely curious about that statement.)

[angel_prias]

Originally Posted by elkpark

Why is it the Philippine government's job to find them jobs? Did the government ask them to go to nursing school? (I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything -- I'm just sincerely curious about that statement.)

Now, that got me thinking. Heheh.

It's true that the government did not ask these students (err... WE) to go to nursing schools but being the government that "oversees" the land where we were born and where we live, the government has the innate responsibility to provide jobs to their citizens. The government of other countries even make sure that they "take care" of their citizens "from birth 'til death".

On the other hand, it is a known fact that most of these students took up nursing not to work here but abroad. That is probably the reason that the government isn't much concerned about creating local jobs for nurses (other than call centers, heheh) despite the surge of nursing schools here and there. And that is probably why the government is having some sort of deals with other countries such as Finland and Spain (and I've heard Japan, too). It's how our government fixes things -- artificially, if you know what I mean.

Ugh! That's for another posting!