Filipino nurses (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Saudi Arabia has offered to open its doors to more Filipino nurses and “give them a chance to earn a decent living and up their skill set,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Friday.
In a Twitter post, Locsin shared some details of his phone conversation with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.
“The Kingdom offered again to host more Filipino nurses where they are deeply appreciated; not deprecated and detained back home. Give them a chance to earn a decent living and up their skillset; then get recruited by Western countries which is fine with The Kingdom. Thank you,” Locsin said.
The Kingdom offered again to host more Filipino nurses where they are deeply appreciated; not deprecated and detained back home. Give them a chance to earn a decent living and up their skill set; then get recruited by Western countries which is fine with The Kingdom. Thank you. https://t.co/L0oYIBKG3F
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 13, 2021
“As usual, The Kingdom’s care and concern for Filipino overseas workers were first on the agenda and last when we said goodnight and goodbye,” he added.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two officials discussed bilateral relations between the two countries as well as “issues of mutual interest.”
📞 | Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Council of Ministers @Adelaljubeir held a phone call with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the #Philippines, @teddyboylocsin. pic.twitter.com/j4eaA1kR8g
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) August 12, 2021
At present, the Philippines allows a 6,500-annual deployment cap of newly hired healthcare workers overseas.
The government originally imposed a 5,000-quota on the deployment of new healthcare workers last year amid the country’s battle against the COVID 19 pandemic.