THE German government is set to provide COVID care bonus to frontline workers who served in various health care institutions in Germany at the height of the pandemic.
The bonus will include Filipino healthcare workers, according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
According to a report from Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Berlin, it said the German government has allocated 1 billion Euros for the “COVID care bonus.” The amount will be split equally between nurses into care homes and nurses in hospitals.
Bello immediately lauded the German government’s initiative.
“The initiative of Germany to reward the frontline workers including our very own for their service during the pandemic is really commendable. This will inspire all the more our healthcare workers in providing the brand of service that the Filipinos are known for even in the midst of crisis,” Bello said.
Healthcare workers engaged in elderly care will receive an incentive ranging from 60-550 Euros or P3,400-P31,000.
Among those who will benefit are nursing staff who worked in geriatric care for at least three months between November 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and are still employed by June 30.
Other beneficiaries include support staff, such as administrators and those in charge of building services, kitchen, cleaning, reception and security services, gardening and grounds maintenance, and laundry or logistics.
Likewise, trainees in elderly care, other employees, volunteers, and participants in the “voluntary social year” scheme are eligible to receive the incentive.
Hospital owners shall be responsible for distributing the bonus between their staff.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced that the plan had been passed to the health committee for review, and pay-outs may start as early as June 30.
Minister Lauterbach said the German government is set to improve the situation for carers in general through new staffing systems and better working conditions. He added that the incentive is just the start of a wider scheme to make nursing a more attractive profession.