Varieties of migrant care work: Comparing patterns of migrant labour in social care

Abstract

Throughout Europe migrant workers are increasingly employed to provide elderly care services. This article presents a comparative analysis of the role of migrant workers in elderly care in Italy, the Netherlands and England. It incorporates both private and agency-based employment. Based on the analysis of survey data and expert interviews it is found that in all cases migrant workers work longer hours and do more night shifts than their native peers. Between-country differences in the importance of migrant workers in social care can be explained primarily by differences in social care policies and care regimes, while the impact of immigration policies is more ambiguous. It is argued that a familialistic care regime induces a ‘migrant in the family’ model of care, while a liberal care regime leads to a ‘migrant in the market’ model of employment and a social democratic care regime creates no particular demand for migrant workers.