WHO’s new publication “Bilateral agreements on health worker migration and mobility” addresses the complexity of international health worker migration and its potential impact on global health systems. It highlights the importance of well-managed migration to prevent health workforce shortages and emphasizes the importance of government-to-government agreements to ensure mutual benefits from health worker migration and to safeguard international health security.
Developed by WHO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Organization, the guidance aims to empower state actors involved in developing, negotiating and implementing international health worker migration agreements. It emphasizes the need to align migration policies with health system priorities and the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.
By providing policy considerations for government-to-government agreements, the guidance will promote beneficial and equitable health worker migration practices that support both sending and receiving countries' health systems. This publication is part of the Working for Health programme.
Download the publication here.