International migration of health workers: Impacts and implications

The international migration of health workers has been going on for decades. The trend, however, is for the developed world to rely more and more upon workers from developing countries, taking scarce human resources from areas that can ill afford to lose them. Meanwhile, employers in developing countries refuse to engage in long-term strategies to recruit, educate and retain workers at home. It is the serious concern on the issue of the migration of health workers and neglected health care systems worldwide that the international labor community has delved into the issue of international migration of health workers with Public Services International (PSI) taking the lead. A research study conducted by PSI and its union affiliates revealed that

Ninety-three percent of women migrant workers in the health sector would prefer to stay in their home country if they could earn a living wage and work in a safe environment. In response to the research, a multi-year campaign by PSI was launched which focuses on ethical recruitment standards and the protection of all workers' rights.