The demand for Filipino nurses abroad continues to increase amid the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Saudi Arabia is willing to accept more Filipino nurses, recognizing their valued skills, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Locsin noted that Saudi Arabia even has no qualms if these Filipino health workers find jobs in western nations after their work deployment in the kingdom.
Saudi's interest in the Filipino medical professionals was among the issues discussed during Locsin's recent phone conversation with Saudi Arabia's 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," Locsin tweeted Friday, August 13.
"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," he said.
https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1425970978597720064?s=20
Locsin added that Saudi's care and concern for overseas Filipino workers were "first on the agenda and last" during his phone call with the foreign minister.
Saudi's Foreign Ministry earlier tweeted that the two officials tackled bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
Filipino nurses are widely respected and recognized for their skills, reliability, and care for their patients anywhere in the world. The country is among the world's biggest sources of nurses.
The government lifted the overseas deployment ban of nurses and other medical workers last November but limited the number of those allowed to work abroad as the country continued to combat the pandemic.