Overseas deployment limit for healthcare workers raised to 6,500

Filipino nurses (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has increased from 5,000 to 6,500 the annual deployment ceiling of newly hired healthcare workers abroad, Malacañang said Friday.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, June 17, 2021, increased the annual deployment ceiling of new hire healthcare workers (HCWs) for Mission Critical Skills (MCS) to 6,500,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Healthcare workers who already have perfected contracts as of May 31, 2021 are included in the adjusted ceiling.

“Healthcare workers under government-to-government labor agreements shall, however, be exempted from this adjusted ceiling,” Roque noted.

Earlier, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration suspended the deployment of nurses abroad after the 5,000 cap was reached.

The quota was imposed last year amid the country’s battle against COVID 19.

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