US health worker shortage: Filipino nurses say they are being exploited 

these Filipino nurses are exploited by the recruiters who are also Filipinos! Shame on them!

what about the workers employed in middle easten countries who get their passports confiscated and not allowed to return home? why not report about that?

I was a nurse in the UAE for 7 years and now a US citizen. The agency that got me here is one of the worst but I can say the workload and being mistreated is nowhere near in comparison in the US than what I’ve experienced in the middle east. Normal work hours in the UAE is 48hrs a week with no overtime pay, here you get overtime pay in excess of 40. Yes, the workload is a lot but a lot of support systems are in place and your voice here is being heard compared to when I was working in an Indian-Arab owned hospital in the UAE where working condition complaints will be held against you. I don’t know where Al Jazeera is getting all this but I belong to a community of filipino nurses who previously worked in the middle east and I’m 100% sure they’ll back my statement on this.

It's not the US. that's your agency. Recruiters are at fault. What you signed on your contract should indicate what your load of work is.

My wife’s sister started out in UK as a nurse before becoming UK citizen. My wife also has two cousins in California and Texas, same thing. The Philippine company that recruits is the one demanding three years and a percentage of income for that time, cause they fund the move to the countries. I have no doubt that can be difficult.

The nurses are given more patients to look after beyond their ability to do it, so the standard of care is diminished.

US is the not the problem the recruiter that is a fellow Filipino

When you are on a work visa, you are held hostage to the employer. Exploitation will and can happen. That is the nature of power imbalances.

So far wala namang ganyan ang na experience ko, salamat naman sa Diyos

This is comical coming from Qatar, a country that has had thousands of migrant workers die in terrible working conditions just in the last decade.

I work in the Eldercare sector, with Alzhiemers residents. Many of my coworkers have been Filipino, the most hard-working and compassionate people I've had the privlege of working beside. I've heard stories firsthand and in the media how they are exploited and subjected to wage theft and other labor law violations. The U.S. healthcare system is a nightmare, and these luxury Assisted Living facilities charge thousands a month, while the people providing the care services are often paid little more than fast food workers- sometimes less. It's even worse for professionals who come from overseas. I hope someday soon there will be major reforms to this system so corrupted by the profit motive. Both the care workers and the vulnerable people who rely on those services are at risk every day due to chronic understaffing, low pay & burnout from heavy workloads.

This happened before in the late 1990’s when the US needs nurses, these despicable Filipino recruiters take advantage of these hopeful nurses. The Phil gov’t should put a stop to these recruiters. There is no regulation at all. The US should also investigate the contracts of these recruiters or staffing agencies. I know for a fact that they pay these nurses half the running rate in the state they are hired in. This is unconscionable. 😢😩

I hope those Filipino nurses who been exploited gets justice.. they dont deserve to be treated bad. They are important in the society they save peoples life. Im am proud of my Filipino nurses kababayan they are one of the best in medical field. ❤

I'm Filipino Nurse too. Ariel is one of those lazy type who thought work in USA is easy. There is no discrimination here. It just depends on the supervisor. Ariel is even lucky with 1 is to 4. We have 1 is to 6 or 7. Of course everyone complain about work loads. But there is no singling out of Filipinos. We work 12 hour shifts 3 or 4 days a week and we make 120K a year. That is a compensation enough for the hard work. Before I got licensed I have done hard labor jobs in factories and make only 28K a year and today I asked in the same factory they make only 42 K a year. Ariel is just one of those diva semi rich guy in the Philippines who got shocked with the hardships of real work in USA where no one is treated like a royalty. I hate nurses like that. They just think about the money without thinking about the work. They should have chose an office job and make 50K a year. You want to make over 100K a year then work for it. As to the agency Ariel should have reported that anonymously to the labor department.

In Reno, Nevada Veterans Administration Hospital, more than half the workers are Philippino. They are wonderful people and so kind. America is not the dreamland immigrants think it is, but many of them don’t know that until they get there.

Philippine people are lovely it's about making them welcome under a fair working environment

Filipino nurses can make 6-10 times more of their salary than in Philippine , they do not feel exploited.

I’ve been a nurse here in USA since 1984 with wonderful experience and l can’t imagine that there’s issues like that here in USA.

Nurses here in Philippines paid $200 a month and some considered as volunteers and they don’t receive any money from hospitals at all but all they need is experience so they can apply to work abroad

The Filipinos nurses are very hardworking and dedication to their profession. I hope those organizations and hospitals treat them with love and care. 🙏🇵🇭❤️

Ray Raval recruited me back in 2003, Nurses to USA was his agency. I was in the Philippines and he paid for my transportation costs as he was nice enough to ask me how much I spent to go to the interview. It took 2 years to process my visa. Ray Raval personally picked me up at the airport, gave me a refund for my plane ticket. Had me staying at a radisson hotel for a week. His agency helped me look for an accommodation close to the hospital. Got paid same as my coworkers, even got a sign in bonus. There were hundreds of nurses that were recruited those years by Ray Raval’s agency.

This is sad, For my 20 years experience in America - i have not heard of this. Though in Nursing Homes you get more patients, its a shock to all of us Filipinos to get 30 patients. Alamin po ninyo if its a hospital setting or Nursing Home. It's crucial to be informed and discerning about the agencies you work with, especially in such critical fields like Nursing. Please don't allow yourself to be in this situation, be bold and reach out to Filipino Community in your State. While it may be true that some reports highlight issues of exploitation among Filipino nurses and other healthcare workers in the US, it's not a universal experience. Different agencies operate differently, and some prioritize the well-being and fair treatment of their staff. It's best to thoroughly research and vet the agencies you're considering working with. Look into their reputation, reviews from current or former employees, and any available data on their practices. Hope Ariel is in better situation now.

Well it sounds like the problem is the nurses aren’t checking these hospitals/nursing homes/etc out online before they accept a job offer. If a company is making you sign a contract with a big fee for quitting before your contract is up then it’s probably not a great place to work anyway. They’ve clearly been having high turnover rates (because they are a bad employer) so are trying to lock staff into contracts. And foreigners may not know this isn’t normal for hiring in the US so they just sign it & get stuck.

My relatives and friends are nursed Philippine. I can tell you: this video is NOT true! My relatives and friends are thriving and highly respected and valued by the hospitals they work at.

The problem goes much deeper than just Nursing in the Philippines. Your gracious interviewee failed to mention that this exploitation starts in the Philippines. Usually native Filipino's who already made the successful immigration act as "job finders" and recruiters. Those contracts aren't drawn up by greedy American hospitals but by the companies owned by their fellow Filipino countrymen. This happens with maids, merchant marines, construction, entertainment, and healthcare workers. Sadly, the country is dependent on overseas remittance. Money earned in another country sent back home. Very little incentive for the government to change the status quo by upsetting the outgoing flow of professionals.

@1:55 I am a citizen of the US, and have also encountered breach fees. The idea was that if the contract is two years and you leave 3 months early (for example) then you would have to pay the company for those 3 months of salary. So, if you got another job you would have to negotiate that your start date would be after the contract ended or if an emergency happened (say your parent had a stroke and needed a caregiver) you would have to pay for the time you left early. I turned it down. This is starting to happen to American citizens as well, as a way to stop turn over rates. But it could lead to abuse if circumstances for why you are leaving early are not taken into consideration.

I’m not sure this is completely true. I’m a Filipina American, my sister is an American born Filipina nurse practicing in California. I was actually horrified at the poor quality of care my family member received from the predominantly Filipino nursing staff.

These nurses on this news/documentary if they are complaining about being exploited once they are done with their said contract they can go back to the Philippines. They can contact or report to the Philippine embassy about their grievances.

The better question is why you do not have enough nurses despite being a 1st world country. 🤩

Excellent remarks, Madam Eleanor Nolasco. It is noteworthy that the Philippine government is not taking any action to increase the incentives provided to Filipino nurses working in the country. If my memory serves me correctly, public teachers make more money than nurses do despite the fact that nurses handle sick patients with greater risk and stress. Not to mention, especially in government institutions, the nurse-to-patient ratio is excessive. In order to offer proper treatment and care, these hospitals must hire additional nurses with a ratio of least five patients per nurse, just like some states in the US.

It's a choice to work outside the country remember when you are abroad you are the second or third class citizen don't expect to be treated as a first class citizen.

You couldn't let her finish?

Filipino nurse's are the best. They answer light calls when cna's are busy with their residents. They always give time to the residents, they changed residents when needed. Filipino nurses do alot more than other backgrounds. It's true because I'm a health care worker

This is so true. I work at a big hospital in Pennsylvania. When I was at a different unit… a heavier load unit, majority of the nurses I met there were contracted nurses from the Philippines.

Last year, I was working full time, budgeting groceries, unable to afford date nights, and missing time with my kids. Now I learned how to make money online. Now am a SAHM, homeschooling, and making profits every week.

We are now experiencing nurses shortage, it is now time for us nurses to raise awareness!

One of the main reason from way back then is that a flood of nurses graduates every year enters the workforce market. Some nurses that have passed the board licensure exam and with ample work experience go abroad to get a much better salary and the new ones can work locally to get experience and these has been the trend eversince.

I'm a nurse here in NYC. Having the best time of my life☺️☺️☺️

It’s always the recruiters and agencies who abuse the Filipino workers, not their American employers.

You must respect and serve our country first for them to Respec us...this is the key, earn it, show it, na di tayo basta bastang nurse....we deserve to be treated well

Just come to Australia pls! It’s closer to the Philippines, work culture is amazing here❤

Filipinos need to start having a back bone and stand up for themselves. Protest, demand better. Be strong 💪and don’t expect others to just fix the issue. You MUST stand up for yourselves and demand change.

I am Filipino. I want to work in US than middle east.

I am more concerned about human right abuses in the middle eastern countries than in the United States!!

Filipino nurses are the ones who always get to work the earliest and the last to leave the work

It’s a lie…i’ve been a nurse here in U.S since 1990…i came here from the Philippines ….everything is all good for me since.

Filipino nurses are in huge demand in the US, UK and Australia. But it looks like Filipino employment agencies are exploiting them.

thank you for exposing this

This is why you have to work direct hire---MAGNET status healthcare facilities. There are in-house talent recruiters and they are legitimate.

I’ve worked in the US for 30 some years and have not experienced this said discrimination or exploitation American nurses and other nurses from other countries are paid the same relative to your work and years of experience. FilAm nurses here in the US have a much better and successful life. If you are talking about exploitation of nurses you better look at the Philippine record. Philippines exploits their nurses which is far worse than other countries. Look at the Philippine nurses salary. You could hardly support yourself let alone having a family.

They just saying that because they don’t want other Filipino nurses coming here. It’s true. Believe me. I’ve been married to one for 10 years

The Philippine government needs to do more to help these nurses to prevent this recruitment agency and hospitals to abuse the vulnerable system. Where is our Philippine Government????

Sorry she didn't answered the last question quite well,it's not really dependent on the applicant ,there should be proper law or contract that is specifically designed that tells what is the limitations that they can do or cannot do

I wish someone will also report the exploitation of health workers in ME. Worst than what is happening in The US.

Do you think US will treat you as human?

this is very true..not only for Nurses but aslso for other health care Allies Like Respiratory Therapist, Physical Therapist, Occupational therapist, Rad Tech, Med Tech, and Pharmacist and speech Path…

I remember working as a PCT and this one Filipino nurse bragged about how the Fillipinos were the preferred choice for these companies because they “worked hard “. I thought to myself, “yeah I wouldn’t call being the group that’s the easiest to exploit a flex but carry on🤷🏾‍♀️”

Im much concerned about housemaids filipina working in middle east. They have alot of restriction.

nurses now in the Philippines are receiving SG15....it's not very low.... Teachers are just receiving SG11....we have 350 to 450 students load every single day....

i’ve been a nurse RN here for 18 years worked for the federal US government

This is also happening in the UK.

be thankful people if u have filipino nurses working in your hospital they are hardworking professionals and compassionate . filipino nurses are respected across the diaspora .

Start your investigation with the Filipinos that sell their own people to Western countries. The ones I know have made a ton of money doing this.

While this is probably true for some nurses, I've been here for 19 years and in California and I haven't seen this in my career. HIB visa is the best route not a work visa. Work visas are through agencies many of those make money and use scare tactics to extort more money even if the hiring companies have already paid them. The hospital was the one who petitioned me and all I paid for was my English exams, and NCLEX, the rest was paid for by the hospital but I had a 2 year contract to fulfill. After that I was free to go elsewhere or had to pay 6K for breach of contract. I did breach my contract but the other hospital that hired me gave me a 12K sign on bonus. As far as staffing, we do our best to follow ratio and do continuity of care. California and in the Sacramento/Roseville area is the best for medical field individuals. The pay is good and housing is reasonable.

My cousin was a nurse in NY. This was the early 2000s and she was bullied both by fellow nurses and administration. She had a nervous breakdown and is now unable to hold down a job because of severe mental health issues.

We have plenty of nurses, no need for foreign workers. The problem is they work for less, so they are taken advantage

best nurses in the world no equal very caring to patients the problem is descrimination but better than working in arab countries which they are treated like animals.

This is the reason why you should carefully research agencies and facilities before accepting any job offer. Although we are more exploited in Ph, the consequences in making a mistake in US compared in Ph has much more weight.

I don't think she understands the final question. The government of the Philippines and the host countries must review their agreement WRT assurance of fair and safe working environments of the OFW nurse

My country's number one export, people.

Filipinos 🇵🇭 Are The Best Nurses 👌 By Far !!! I Have Witnessed This First Hand How They Go Over And Above And Serve Wholeheartedly More So Than Any Others ... God Bless The 🇵🇭 Philippines & The Filipino People And All That Are In The Nursing & Medical Field ...

They are good quality nurses. I am sorry to hear this happen to them.

I'm an American nurse. I haven't watched this video yet but I can assure you these nurses are used hard! I haven't worked with any but I can imagine.

Oh I believe it 🇺🇲🇹🇹🫡. There is stuff going on in the Healthcare system that is frightening. Black community been saying things for years. Baptist Church knows.

Working as a nurse in the US gave me a comfortable life.

Complaining having 4-5 patients?Once you have completed your contracts with your recruiter,you are free to do,work anywhere.

My questions are: Why didn't they go to the government and file a complaint? We have equal rights laws here in the US. The US government is very strict with labor rights. Not all agencies treat Filipinos the same way. Nag kataon lang siguro sa iba na di maganda yung agency nila.

Health care is slavery, get over yourselves and get back to work.

Come to Australia and New Zealand everything here is according to law ! We are look after !

Even in their own country they are exploited.

Owning people is outlawed but contract bounding laws is a alternative form of control.

The real problem is that people that come to the U.S. do not realize how hard most Americans work for their money. They think once they make it to the U.S. they are set for life. That is why many people think we have it easy when we travel abroad but, it is only the Currency Exchange that makes us look rich in their country but, in our own country many Americans are struggling with the COST of LIVING.

It’s clearly stated naman pala sa contract then why push through with it

Mga Pilipino pag nasa ibang bansa kahit overworked di gaano nagrereklamo, pero pag dito grabe makareklamo. Hehe

The grass is greener where you water it.

I say they are becoming Americanized,they asking for more rights,but,the other side of the coin,they would be making a lot less money in there country,give it a break, they'll taking American jobs.😂😂😂😂😅

When you'll talk about inhuman and exploitation of labours in qatar

This is not a fair assessment . It might be from the agency that brought them to this country that's abusing them. I came 4 decades ago. Yes, it is hard work and adjustment but i am still thankful that i left the Philippines to come to the US to work. We have many opportunities here in the US. We just need to work hard and further our education to be able to compete. There will always be discrimination but filipino nurses are resilient ,patient , excellent nurses and our patients like us. We persevere. There is no other country in the world that could compare to the US. Speaking of abuses, The Philippines is the worst. I cannot possibly survive that kind of treatment. The only good thing is our education. We have good education and training but never will i want to go back to practice IN THE pHILIPPINES OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. I am eternally grateful for the chance and opportunity to work in the US.Thank you America!

Just for everyone's info, most nurses in Philippines are hired contractually getting 4k USD annually or thats 17k Pesos monthly. The nurses who are lucky to be employed with permanent position are getting 8.8k USD annually or 37k pesos monthly. That's an easy decision to leave the country and work else where.

Then leave

As a patient I can tell you that most nurses and other fields like drawing blood, the slowest laziest are from countries in Africa and other countries. The pace, pressure, and expected output of American business is a shock to most foreigners. They think they are coming to TV America and easy life. Nursing is non stop hard work. What are they thinking.

I'm from California and this is not entirely accurate. I am not a legal expert but If this really happened, the patient ratio is fair depending which unit you were assigned. If Nurses assigned out of ratio, employee can anonymously report to the State Department of Health. Employment contract or no contract, the immigration status will determine how long they can work for the employer which usually take 5 years (sponsored work permit). During this time, the employer is 100% responsible for the employee (abuse or neglect of well-being). While employed, may apply for permanent residency (green card) which typically last for 4-5 years process. If you prefer not to involved your current employer in your permanent residency, you can asked other person or entity to become your legal support while in the US until employee becomes a US Citizen.

The host country is duty-bound to protect them .

Why would Aljazeera be interested on Filipino Nurses migrant workers? Girl 1$≈P50 why would you not??? It's both ways USA shortage and Philippines exchange rate. Many of these Nurses are also Doctors, Teachers, Engineers etc. They chose to migrate to other countries because their $ goes a long, long way. Philippine government should wake up. This is the driving force. If given a chance I would rather stay with my family in the Philippines. Buy I've been in the USA workforce for 35 years. It's not all a bed of roses but it is what it is. We all work together for the sake of our sick fellow men. Besides Philippines was once a territory of the USA. Who else would they ask? Aljazeera?

@00:25 "They are treating us like slaves...like we are cheap labor..." Welcome to America! Also, I think Asian ppl, especially SEA, forget that they are not Yt. When you work as a brown or black person in the US, you need to go above and beyond to prove yourself and you can't expect recognition for those extra hours, etc. If not, they just replace you with another person who looks like you who will just be happy to have the job or a Yt person who they will not expect as much from but give them the same wages and benefits that you got doing more work.

Shame on the recruiters!

It’s the health care agencies. Some of my friends suffered the same thing. :(

They have to open their mouth, if they are being exploited. I was under contract when I came to US, I left the hospital without finishing the contract because I didnt like the working environment I was in. Be assertive dont let them step on your toes.

this starts in the Philippines while nurses are being paid about 500$ per month... in the usa you can it maybe 2-3 days

Same in the UK bullying is common, nurses treated differently