Filipino nurses as enablers of the future welfare state: The global commodity chains of producing racialized care labour for ageing Finland

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

In the current policy environment in Finland, labour migration is portrayed as a solution for the sustenance of the ageing welfare state. However, foreign professional qualifications are generally less valued than those of native-born citizens, particularly for racialized migrants coming from outside the 'west'. Such devaluation of human capital is prevalent in nursing, where the menial basic care has turned into a 'migrant's job', whereas clinical work is left for those considered as 'natives'. In this chapter, we examine how the Filipino registered nurses' professional skills are systematically devalued, as they are recruited to Finnish eldercare as enablers of the future welfare state. We demonstrate how Filipino nurses are produced as highly skilled export commodities in the Philippines, only to be deskilled upon entry to the Finnish labour markets as embedded in the EU. In conclusion, we outline policy measures that would make the transnational recruitment processes more ethical.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNationalism and Democracy in the Welfare State
EditorsPauli Kettunen, Saara Pellander, Miika Tervonen
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Chapter9
Pages184-208
ISBN (Electronic)9781788976589
ISBN (Print)9781788976572
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Publication typeA3 Book chapter

Keywords

  • Filipino nurse migration
  • global commodity chains
  • international nurse recruitment
  • ageing welfare state
  • racialized care work
  • Filipino nurse education

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 2

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