Backpack New Zealand > Forum > Immigration & Working
Important info for Filipino nurses who want to work in NZ
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eddie
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: Important info for Filipino nurses who want to work in NZ |
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Hi, a friend of mine in NZ sent me this notice and I thought it would be helpful to post it on this site.
The real deal on the situation of Filipino nurses in New Zealand
(Please read if you are a nurse thinking of working in New Zealand.)
Filipino nurses have been coming to New Zealand for some years now but the reality of their situation is not always appreciated. Below are some of the difficulties they face:
1. Debt: The recruiting agents (usually Filipino) charge excessive fees often for very little, sometimes only lodging a work permit. Some lend the nurses money at high interest for purchasing airfares, finding accommodation and jobs and upskilling at a tertiary institution in nursing competency. Many nurses begin their working life in New Zealand owing $5,000-6,000 USD to these agents. Some agents refer nurses to borrow from “crediting firms” ( essentially loan sharks) which charge astronomical interest rates of as much as 4% per month (40% per annum).
2. Misinformation: These agents often provide misinformation about the nature of the employment in New Zealand. Nurses are told they will be working in a hospital in New Zealand. However, on arrival most find they are to be employed in aged care homes, as caregivers to old people, unable to utilise most of their nursing training, unable to keep up their clinical hours and earning half what they had counted on. They have no choice but to stay because they are bonded to the agents for up to three years to pay back their loans.
Other misinformation given is that nurses cannot join unions which is completely
wrong. Union membership is a democratic right in New Zealand and it also
provides indemnity insurance for any accidents at work. It is not
dangerous to join a union in New Zealand.
3. Overwork: The nurses have to work very hard, sometimes working double shifts in order to pay back loans. Shifts are changed at short notice making it difficult to have any kind of social life.
4. Crowded living arrangements : Nurses are often forced into crowded living arrangements because that is all they can afford.
5. Expensive English exams: The Nursing Council of New Zealand requires all nurses working in hospitals to pass the Academic IELTS exam with 7 across all bands. This is expensive to sit and the reading section is extremely difficult. Many good Filipino nurses find themselves unable to get into hospital work because of this screen. You are encouraged to sit the IELTS exam in the Philippines before travelling to New Zealand. It is much cheaper, and the processes are easier.
For valid concerns (please do not overwhelm with impertinent queries) contact migrante_nz@yahoo.co.nz or a Wellington-based support group, Wellington Kiwi Pinoy at kinoywgtn@gmail.com.
The New Zealand nurses union is at www.nzno.org.nz.
The good news is that one of the district health boards which runs hospitals and other health services has signed up to a deal with the POEA to bring Filipino nurses here directly and thereby cut out the recruiting agents. If you can get into one of these DHB schemes, then do so because your airfare, initial accommodation and your nursing upskilling is paid for by the DHB and you are guaranteed real nursing work for two years. You don’t need an agent, simply speak to the POEA about it. However, you must have Academic IELTS 7 to be employed. Again: it is easier to sit this exam in the Philippines than in New Zealand so take the exam before you come.
New Zealand is a great place and we need Filipino nurses but make sure you are fully informed before you leave the Philippines. Don’t get “taken for a ride” by recruiting agents because it is very hard to take any action against them after the fact. They are operating at the very margins of the law but they are clever enough to stay within it. |
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ms_september
Joined: 03 Aug 2008
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:54 am Post subject: |
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hi eddie  ...i am new in this site and just read your post..tnx for the info. i am a fourth year nursing student and will be graduating this march. our due to lodge our application will be on oct. 26, 2008. my husband is the principal applicant. he's an I.T. professional.
actually we are hoping to be ready to migrate next year after my june board. are you already in nz?
will be in touch. god bless |
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vegimite
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 49
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