Filipinos are known globally to be talented and skilled in many fields such as the arts, humanities, and most especially hospitality and healthcare. One of the professions in this field is caregiving. Like nursing, caregiving is a job taken up by a healthcare professional.
Many nations abroad recruit caregivers from the Philippines. What makes Filipinos stand out in the international market of hospitality and healthcare are characteristics that are ingrained in our Filipino culture. Our deep respect for the elderly, proficiency in the English language, family-oriented lifestyle, ability to work hard, and resourcefulness are the traits employers usually admire about Filipinos. To be a caregiver, one must provide care to those who have difficulty in daily activities. These traits make Filipinos a perfect fit for the job!
Filipinos have been an integral part of the global healthcare community as early as the 1970s. Since then, local institutions have established training centers dedicated to developing our caregivers’ skills. Being a caregiver is a noble job, and Filipinos are recognized for their efficiency and compassion.
If you are an aspiring or experienced caregiver who would like to work abroad, here is a list of the top eight countries that are hiring caregivers in 2021.
1. Israel
Last November 2020, the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced that Israel is looking to hire Filipino caregivers in 2021. The contract would last for a maximum of five years with a salary of around ₱75,000.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), out of the 500 vacancies announced by POEA and the Philippines Embassy in Tel-Aviv, 1,375 caregivers sent their applications through the e-registration database.
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured the safety of overseas Filipino workers as deployment to Israel resumes amid the pandemic. With the gradual easing of travel restrictions, the government has deployed the first batch of around 48 caregivers in Israel last July. The deployment process was not without setbacks, as both the Philippines and Israel faced challenges with documents and flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened restrictions.
POEA is now working on the deployment of the next batches of caregivers.
2. Japan
Japan is known for the rapid growth in its aging population. In other words, there are more senior citizens than the youth. Because of this, the need for caregivers for their elderly is in-demand.
Last June, the Japanese government announced that they are opening their doors to 32 nurses and 401 careworkers, with an average salary of ₱70,000. According to POEA’s official statement, careworker applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (with or without a license) or graduate of four year-course but with TESDA National Certificate II in caregiving.
Unfortunately, Japan’s borders remain closed and deployment of OFWs has come to a halt due to COVID-19 restrictions. More information is to be released once Japan reopens its borders.
3. Canada
One of the most liveable countries in the world is an opportune place to be for caregivers. In 2019, the Canadian government released two home caregiver pilots with the intent to support immigrant caregivers. These programs allow caregivers to apply for permanent residency.
In fact, Canada’s immigration department announced that they aim to complete 6,000 permanent residency applications by the end of the year. Last May 6, Canada began to accept 30,000 new permanent residents, as long as they have had one year of work experience in similar and relevant roles.
Since there is a high demand for child and elderly care, Canada emphasizes their intent to protect their migrant workers and provide them more support so that they may see their loved ones, especially during the pandemic.
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4. Hong Kong
A large number of our OFWs work in Hong Kong, particularly in the hospitality and healthcare industry. According to a study, Hong Kong’s aging population reached 18.3% in 2020.
5. New Zealand
Japan, New Zealand has an aging population. According to research, the older population will double by 2028. Around 25% of 20,000 caregivers for the aged are migrant workers.
The closure of New Zealand’s borders posed challenges for migrant workers. However, last November 1, the government began to issue employer-led single work visas to give leeway and ensure workers’ protection during the pandemic. Only those under “other critical workers” may enter the country. However, employers may still attempt to apply by completing the Employer request for critical worker exception form. You may read more about the visa here.
6. United Kingdom
More than 19.5 million people are aged 65 and above in the UK. That’s why caregivers, both local and migrant, are highly acknowledged here. They offer a wide variety of caregiver international programs, and this has gained popularity over the years.
Migrant healthcare workers are in demand here. Luckily, OFWs are permitted to travel to the UK as long as they follow the health regulations and protocols.
7. Spain
Together with the UK, Spain is among the seven countries of which the Philippines has labor pacts with. According to an official announcement by DOLE last June, The agreements state that these European countries shall provide more employment opportunities for OFWs.
From 1999 to 2013, the elderly population in private households increased from 6.4 to 8 million. Research shows that this will increase throughout the years.
Aside from child and elderly care, it was recently announced that Spain is also looking for family caregivers to look after patients with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
8. Australia
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Australia’s borders are among the longest that has remained closed. However, in order to control the spread of COVID-19, Australia allowed 2,000 healthcare workers to enter the country earlier this year. Furthermore, similar to Spain, family caregivers are prevalent in Australia. Life expectancy is high, and there is a demand for family and informal caregivers.
this November, Australia finally opened its borders to select groups of people such as those traveling from New Zealand and Singapore. This is a big step for the country, and they have yet to announce
Among the communities most affected by the pandemic are the healthcare professionals, most especially the migrant care workers. The number of stressors that stay-in migrant caregivers face has taken a toll on their physical and mental health, many of which have contracted the virus. International travel restrictions make it difficult for them to come back to the Philippines, causing them to be apart from their loved ones for a longer period of time.
As nations are doing their best to control the spread of the virus and travel restrictions are slowly easing, Filipino caregivers must weigh in their options as to where to look for employment opportunities abroad.
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