Health and Social care services

The general failure of the Rio +20 negotiations presents both threats and opportunities for public service unions. These will require local and national level responses, as well as coordination across regions and globally.

The report documents innovative participatory research carried out in South Africa by PSI affiliated unions under the PSI’s Programme on Women and International Migration in the Health and Social Care Sectors. The programme seeks to build the capacity of public sector trade unions in addressing the causes and impact of migration in the health and social care sectors.

Bermuda’s small population limits its ability to provide adequate workers in specific areas of public services. For this reason, Bermuda relies heavily on migrant workers and is considered a country of destination.

Public Services International (PSI) and its affiliated unions have prepared this kit to provide basic information on the facts, realities and issues concerning migration in the health sector. It is designed to help potential migrant health workers make an informed choice and to support unions that wish to assist health workers in making the right decisions

Environmental and social sustainability provided the primary theme for PSI’s work in 2009. Leading into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, trade unions and civil society allies worked hard to ensure that world leaders would agree on an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions. Alas, this dream did not become reality. But we are committed to continuing this struggle and achieving real results.

In Ghana, where unemployment and poverty are on the rise, many Ghanaian health workers are enticed and compelled to seek ‘greener pastures’ in Europe and in North America. Without adequate information preparation, aspiring migrants cannot make informed decisions on whether it is really in their best interest to migrate.