By Lane Afable, News Editor
Italy is considering to recruit thousands of qualified nurses amid its shortage in healthcare workers, and has proposed to negotiate a new bilateral labor agreement (BLA) with the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial said on Thursday.
The proposal was made during his meeting with Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci in Italy on April 24, where the latter identified the Philippines as a “key partner” in helping Italy meet the high demand in its healthcare system.
“We hope to start the negotiations soon with the view of signing the agreement by the end of this year,” Imperial said.
The envoy said the Department of Foreign Affairs and an interagency group, led by the Department of Migrant Workers and Department of Health, are now in consultation on a proposed draft agreement.
Once signed, the BLA would be the first government-to-government labor deal on health professionals between the two states, and will establish a “structured, transparent, and regulated mechanism for the recruitment and deployment” of Filipino nurses in Italy.
“What we have currently is a general BLA with Italy, which we are also negotiating and updating. The Italians said they are open to a government-to-government system that would eliminate private recruitment agencies,” the envoy said.
Italy currently faces a shortage of approximately 15,000-20,000 nurses, mostly in hospitals and clinics outside Rome, Milan and Florence.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome said Italy’s strong interest in tapping into the Philippines’ pool of health professionals is banked on its “high regard” for the Filipino nurses’ widely-acknowledged “competence, professionalism, and quality of care.”
“We welcome Italy’s recognition of the value that Filipino nurses bring to its healthcare system,” Imperial said.
“A formal bilateral framework will help ensure that recruitment is orderly, fair, and responsive to the needs of both countries, while safeguarding the welfare of our healthcare professionals.”
Under Italy’s regulatory requirements, Filipino nurses must meet qualifications including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, recognition of credentials, registration with professional bodies, Italian language proficiency (at least B2 level), and completion of required professional training.
Extension of work validity
In the same April 24 meeting, Schillaci said Italy is extending the work validity for Filipino nurses currently employed in their country for additional two years, from 2027 to 2029.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome said the workers’ employment contracts may remain valid for as long as their riconoscimento regionale or regional professional recognition is in force.
These nurses were allowed to work in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic on exceptional basis without going through stringent requirements but their contracts were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.
“This is a very positive and practical outcome for our Filipino nurses already in Italy. The extension ensures continuity while providing greater security in their employment,” Imperial said.
The meeting also discussed cooperation on the health and well-being of the Filipino community in Italy, including concerns related to their lifespan.
The Philippine side proposed collaboration on programs to support long-term health outcomes, which the Italian Health minister welcomed.
Both sides described the discussions as “productive and forward-looking”, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in healthcare, labor mobility and community welfare.
