A Quater of Germany's Nursing Home Workforce Are Foreigners, Struggling With Labor Shortages
More than a quarter of nurses originate from another country.
Germany's nursing homes face a crippling shortage of skilled workers, with one in four employees hailing from abroad, according to the Federal Employment Agency. Vanessa Ahuja, a spokeswoman in Nuremberg, stated, "The care sector is reeling from a severe labor shortage, which is only worsened by demographic changes." She added that the sector would already be on its knees without foreign nursing staff.
Over the past decade, the number of workers in the care sector has surged by a staggering 20%, reaching 1.72 million. For three consecutive years, foreign employees accounted for the entirety of employment growth in the sector, with 18% of the workforce now foreign nationals.
immigrants are keeping the sector afloat, as it grapples with an aging population and a desperate need for more caregivers. By 2030, the sector is projected to require over half a million additional healthcare workers[4]. Bureaucratic hurdles remain a thorn in the side for potential caregivers, despite relaxed visa rules and simplified entry procedures[5].
Ethical concerns arise as there's a growing need for fair and transparent practices in recruiting foreign healthcare workers to tackle exploitation and ensure equitable treatment. TERN Group's ethical nurse migration model is a step in the right direction[4]. Recent political shifts in Germany may influence immigration policies, potentially impacting the ease of entry and integration for caregivers. However, the Skilled Immigration Act remains crucial in attracting skilled workers to the care sector[1].
In summary, immigration is a critical factor in addressing the workforce shortage in Germany's care sector, but it necessitates careful management to strike the right balance between economic benefits and ethical considerations.
- The community of foreigners, primarily nursing staff, plays a crucial role in Germany's nursing homes, comprising one quarter of the workforce, as stated by the Federal Employment Agency.
- As the health-and-wellness sector struggles with labor shortages, the percentage of foreign nationals in the workforce continues to grow, with 18% of the workforce currently being comprised of immigrants.
- In Nuremberg, Vanessa Ahuja, a spokeswoman, acknowledged that the care sector's dependency on foreign nursing staff has been instrumental in coping with a severe labor shortage exacerbated by demographic changes.
- A WhatsApp group discussion on the science of workforce management in the care sector may revolve around policies aimed at attracting skilled immigrants to alleviate the anticipated need for more than half a million additional healthcare workers by 2030.
