Warning for Nurses bound to NZ

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) advised nurses bound for New Zealand about agencies or individual recruiters who are collecting excessive fees. There are reports that has reached the office of DoLE that nurses who are applying for a job in New Zealand were required to pay P500,000 and P700,000.

Secretary Arturo Brion of DoLe advice nurses who have job offers in New Zealand to report these recruiters to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) so they can file appropriate charges.

Upon arrival in New Zealand, they will stay in rest homes for which they were automatically billed 15 percent of their monthly salary.

The DoLE has proposed to the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) of New Zealand that they will recruit Filipino nurses with the aid of the POEA. Through this process, applicants can avoid dealing with middle men or recruiters, since the CMDHB will reimburse all the expenses of the nurses’ transportation costs. Thus, there mobilization would only cost some P8,000 each.

The proposal also states that the applicants must register with the POEA and must undergo a screening test. Applicants who will pass the process will be deployed to CMDHB hospitals in New Zealand.

Brion added that the POEA will discuss the repatriation coverage and other benefits of the nurses.

“This will not only protect the nurses from unscrupulous recruiters but also ensure their employment and welfare in New Zealand,” Brion said.