MANILA – Italy is moving to address a significant shortage of healthcare workers by hiring thousands of Filipino nurses and proposing a new government-to-government labor agreement with the Philippines, according to Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial.
The proposal was raised during Imperial’s April 24 meeting with Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci, where Italy formally recognized the Philippines as a key partner in strengthening its healthcare workforce.
“We hope to begin negotiations soon with the goal of signing an agreement by the end of the year,” Imperial said in a statement to the Philippine News Agency.
He added that the Department of Foreign Affairs, along with an interagency team led by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Health, is currently reviewing a draft framework.
Once finalized, the bilateral labor agreement would be the first of its kind between the two countries, specifically focused on health professionals. It aims to establish a regulated, transparent recruitment system for Filipino nurses in Italy, potentially reducing reliance on private recruitment agencies.
Imperial noted that Italy currently faces a shortage of around 15,000 to 20,000 nurses, particularly outside major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Florence.
Italian officials reportedly expressed strong confidence in Filipino healthcare workers, citing their professionalism and high-quality patient care.
The proposed agreement would also require Filipino nurses to meet Italian standards, including nursing credentials, professional registration, and at least B2-level proficiency in the Italian language.
In the same meeting, Italy announced an extension of employment validity for Filipino nurses already working in the country, prolonging their contracts from 2027 to 2029. This move ensures continuity for healthcare workers who were initially allowed to work under pandemic-related exemptions.
Both sides also explored broader cooperation on the welfare and health outcomes of the Filipino community in Italy, with Italy expressing openness to joint programs aimed at long-term well-being.
Officials from both countries described the talks as constructive, signaling deeper cooperation in healthcare, labor mobility, and migrant welfare.
ia/xf
