Manila. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario at the Department of Foreign Affairs, this morning, March 18.
The German Minister is in Manila for an official visit to witness the signing of the Agreement Concerning the Placement of Filipino Health Care Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany at the Department of Labor and Employment.
The Agreement is expected to open the German health care sector to Filipino health care professionals who have been, heretofore, barred from employment in accordance with existing German laws. It also stipulates the procedures and conditions for the deployment of Filipino health care professionals to Germany.
The initiative to help facilitate the deployment of Philippine health care professionals, nurses in particular, to Germany has been high in the agenda of the two countries. It was taken up during the official visit of Secretary del Rosario to Germany in December 2011 and during the visit to Manila of German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle last month.
In recognition of the significance of the Agreement, Secretary del Rosario said that its conclusion is a win-win situation for both countries.
On the one hand, the Philippines will be able to help Germany fill its needs for health care professionals. On the other, Philippine health care professionals will be given the opportunity to be employed in Germany, a country which is known for its excellent labor and social welfare standards.
Secretary del Rosario also acknowledged the active efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Professional Regulation Commission that led to the successful conclusion of the Agreement. END