Filipino health care workers (HCWs) are among the beneficiaries of Germany’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) care bonus for medical front-liners in its healthcare institutions, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Tuesday.
Citing the report of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the host country has allocated 1 billion euros for the incentive, which will be split equally between nurses in care homes and nurses in hospitals.
HCWs engaged in elderly care will receive an incentive ranging from 60 to 550 euros (PHP3,400 to PHP31,000)
“The initiative of Germany to reward the frontline workers including our very own for their service during the pandemic is really commendable. This will inspire all the more our healthcare workers in providing the brand of service that the Filipinos are known for even in the midst of crisis,” he said in a statement.
Among those who will benefit are nursing staff who worked in geriatric care for at least three months between Nov. 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022, and those who are still employed as of June 30.
Other beneficiaries include support staff, such as administrators and those in charge of building services, kitchen, cleaning, reception and security services, gardening and grounds maintenance, and laundry or logistics.
Trainees in elderly care, other employees, volunteers, and participants in the ‘voluntary social year’ scheme are eligible to receive the incentive.
Hospital owners shall be responsible for distributing the bonus between their staff.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced that the plan had been passed to the health committee for review, and pay-outs may start as early as June 30.
He added that the incentive is just the start of a wider scheme to make nursing a more attractive profession.
Source: Philippines News Agency