Development Crucial to Immigration Debate
05/11/2010 17:55:00
Responding to the Home Secretary's speech on the UK's immigration system, Kathy Peach, Head of External Affairs at VSO UK said:
"The Home Secretary's speech today provides a clearer direction for the Coalition’s approach to immigration and citizenship. The Government needs to show international leadership by recognising that changes to the UK’s immigration policies can have an impact on the lives and livelihoods of people in developing countries too.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the health sector where 23% of doctors trained in sub-Saharan Africa have moved to work in health systems in OECD countries.
Migration must work harder for both rich and poor countries. We believe that changes to the UK’s immigration and citizenship policies could help stem the brain drain from Africa and enable the UK to remain competitive in attracting the best talent from abroad."
For more information please contact Louise Hill on 0208 780 7410 or email louise.hill@vso.org.uk
Editor's notes
VSO's report Brain Gain set out a package of measures to make migration work for the UK and African health systems:
1. Get migration working outwards as well as in
Make it easier for skilled migrants who have contributed to our public services and economy to return home and help their country of origin; either temporarily, permanently, or on a recurring basis, according to individual choice. We should support those who want to go back by making provisions for a 'pause' in the citizenship journey, encouraging diaspora volunteering, and increasing the advice available to help them return. It will save lives in Africa and reduce permanent brain drain to the UK.
2. Support the professional development of migrant health workers in the UK
The UK should ensure that it supports migrant health workers to develop professionally by expanding training opportunities through schemes such as the Medical Training Initiative and ensuring migrants take jobs appropriate to their skills and qualifications. This will also enable the UK to continue to attract the brightest and best health workers to help meet our labour needs. Aiding developing countries to recognise any skills gained by migrant health workers in the UK will support them to deploy those who return most effectively.
3. Build up African health systems and workforces
At least half of the UK's existing aid to global health should go towards tackling the underlying causes of migration and barriers to return by helping poor countries to strengthen their health infrastructure and build up their workforces. Returning migrants should play a vital role in helping to train and build the skills of health workers.
