World | Philippines
Group to fight service rule for professionals
A major labour group vowed to oppose a Bill at the House of Representatives which required Filipino professionals to render a two-year compulsory service period prior to working overseas.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:32 August 19, 2008
Manila: A major labour group vowed to oppose a Bill at the House of Representatives which required Filipino professionals to render a two-year compulsory service period prior to working overseas.
"We consider the Bill absolutely unfair and highly discriminatory, because it singles out registered professionals for compulsory volunteer work," said former Senator Ernesto Herrera, secretary-general of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.
The proposed measure targeted Filipino doctors and other medical workers majority of whom have been working abroad since the late 1970s.
Congressman Ignacio Arroyo said he filed the Bill because he was alarmed by the continuing exodus of health workers abroad, adding this trend, if unabated, would result in the "possible paralysis of the country's health system".
The proposed law would affect, among others, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, medical technologists, physical therapists, engineers, teachers, sailors, accountants and interior designers.
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