Sub-regional office Forum VI, Braampark 33 Hoofd Street Braamfontein, 2017 Tel+27 11 403 7765/6 Fax+27 11 403 5166 Email: [email protected] CO.Reg No: 2004/034690/08 Public Services International Launches South Africa National Report on Migration in Health and Social Care Sectors 13 September 2011, Johannesburg –Today Public Services International launches the South Africa national report on migration in the health and social care sectors under the theme: “Quality Healthcare and Workers on the Move.” 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. South Africa is unique in the region as it is both a source and destination country of migrant workers. The country faces a healthcare crisis arising from a significant burden of disease, underfunding and understaffing of health facilities and the continuing out-migration of health and social care workers. The research shows that understaffing, low pay and poor working conditions are strong underlying factors that push health and social care workers to migrate. This is exacerbated by the absence of a coherent approach to human resources for health planning and difficulties in implementing the country’s strategic health priorities. “Health and social care workers in South Africa want to contribute to the health and well-being of their people. They have strong loyalties and pride in their country and would prefer not to migrate if conditions were improved at home,” says Thembi Mngomezulu, PSI Southern Africa Sub-Regional Secretary. They would like the choice to migrate to be a free and informed choice, not one that is forced upon them by the economic, professional and work constraints that they face,” she stresses. The report concludes with a set of recommendations for government and trade union action, which includes among others; campaigning for ethical recruitment of health and social care workers as provided for in existing codes and policies, particularly the WHO Code of practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.
For more information, contact Thembi Mngomezulu, [email protected], Mobile: +27 82 772 5417. Public Services Internationalis a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 150 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations. PSI runs a global Programme on International Migration and Women Health and Social Workers. See www.world-psi.org/migration. -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
