DOLE awaits UK response on vaccine provision for OFWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is waiting for the UK's response regarding the provision of coronavirus vaccines for Filipino healthcare workers (HCWs), as part of an agreement to lift deployment caps.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III stated that the UK may provide vaccines to ensure the safety of deployed nurses, with a 10-day expected response timeframe from the UK government.

Bello emphasized the need to secure vaccine supplies for all OFWs and not just HCWs before deployment can proceed.

The Philippines has bilateral agreements with the UK dating back to 2002 and 2003, and is also requesting Germany to provide vaccines as part of similar arrangements.