Nowadays, it is common for people with various backgrounds to migrate and optimise their cost of living and income levels. Leonie Gubela and Ester Klimećka explore various aspects of the current complex migration situation in the context of care system, focusing on three key phenomena: 24-hour in-home care in Germany, the migration of elderly populations to the Czech Republic in search of affordable care, and the influx of health professionals and caregivers to the institutions in the Czech Republic usually from the global East.
Currently, around half a million foreign care workers from the EU are employed in Germany, with the majority coming from Poland, while only about 5,000 are from the Czech Republic. Many of these workers are affiliated with so-called placement agencies, but concerns have been raised about the lack of effective government oversight. Journalists spoke to women working in the sector, who shared that there is often no clear distinction between work and personal time. Many report being paid for just eight hours a day, despite being on call 24 hours a day. Additionally, there are numerous accounts of sexual harassment and general mistreatment.
Secondly, elderly migration, particularly from countries like Germany, is increasing, driven by the lower cost of living and healthcare in receiving countries. A notable example is the migration of German seniors to the Czech Republic. While the motivations for elderly individuals are relatively clear, the benefits for receiving countries are less straightforward. This migration can put a strain on local resources and potentially impact the quality of care, particularly due to language and cultural barriers.
Finally, the Czech healthcare system, especially in peripheral regions like North Bohemia, relies heavily on healthcare professionals from abroad. Despite the high demand for these workers, the process of obtaining qualification approval in the Czech Republic is complex and often leads to many candidates failing to meet the requirements. As a result, many professionals either choose to work below their qualifications or migrate to countries with more streamlined processes.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
