The International Placement Services (ZAV) from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and GIZ have established a project for the placement of qualified nurses with German companies. The project facilitates migration of healthcare personnel from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia and Kerala (India). The project generates threefold benefits (‘triple win’):
1. Pressure is eased on labor markets in the countries of origin whilst brain drain in the health sector is minimized
2. Migrants' remittances contribute to sustainable development in countries of origin
3. The shortage of nurses in Germany is alleviated and global mobility schemes are supported.
Migrating in this way, the nurses have the chance to improve their future prospects. The project cooperates with employment agencies in partner countries and with ZAV, to select nurses and provide them with preparatory language and professional courses, and then place them in work. It provides them with support in their country of origin, upon arrival in Germany and during their stay. The project is based on placement agreements concluded between ZAV and the employment agencies in partner countries. After recognition of the foreign credentials in Germany, the nurses can take up employment commensurate with their qualifications and in the medium term will be entitled regularly to a residence permit (skilled professionals living in Germany can apply for a settlement permit in accordance with Section 18c AufenthG (German Residence Act). The cooperation between ZAV, GIZ and the employment agencies in the partner countries permits the well-coordinated management of labor migration in a spirit of partnership. The project promotes migration and labor-policy objectives, while at the same time observing a culture of welcome and appreciation. It is in line with the global push for partner-oriented mobility schemes. From the beginning of the project until now, more than 4,500 nurses have been placed with German employers, in clinics, geriatric care homes and out-patient services. Of these above, 3,100 have already started working in Germany. The demand continues to grow, both among the nursing staff and on the part of the employers. Project monitoring has verified that the selected nurses possess a high level of professional qualification. The employers were highly satisfied with the international nurses. In line with the regulations by the World Health Organization, the project cooperates only with partner countries that have a surplus of trained nurses. Furthermore, due the nurses’ high standard of qualifications, they can integrate more effectively in Germany. A close cooperation with the partner countries ensures that all processes are sustainable and fair. The project relieves pressure on the local labor marker and monitors that the country of origin does not suffer a brain drain. Remittances and transfer of knowledge contribute to development.