Migration of formal and informal health-care workers is a global phenomenon-and, as this article demonstrates, one that is produced by government policies and practices. Nurses and lesser-trained caregivers migrate from many lower-income countries to richer ones (including from the Philippines to the United States, from South Africa to England, from Central Asia to Turkey). Using the Austrian experience to illustrate how policies and lack of enforcement of labor laws lead to migration and mistreatment of health-care professionals and informal caregivers, this article recommends how to alleviate health-care staff shortages in Africa and elsewhere through policymaking in Europe and North America. Recognition of the political dimensions of health-care migration is the first step toward addressing ethical questions and damaging shortages of caregivers. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Health worker migration Care drain health worker shortage Brain drain

Health Personnel Caregivers economics health care policy Europe health care personnel Population Dynamics human statistics North America Humans personnel management Africa Article Personnel Selection migration legal aspect Emigration and Immigration Health Policy Philippines caregiver