Irregular Female Labour Migration from Ukraine for Labour to the Elderly Care Sector in Italy

Abstract

This research deals with irregular female migration from Ukraine to Italy for employment as caregivers to the elderly. The main questions to be addressed are: 'What are the reasons for Ukrainian women to migrate irregularly to such a large extent to Italy? Which important aspects are connected to their employment as a caregiver to the elderly from the individual point of view of Ukrainian women? In this thesis I want to explain the reasons for Ukrainian women to take up work as irregular caregivers in Italy, giving insight into the organization of daily life of irregular Ukrainian care givers. Practical examples will be given that examine the help women receive from Ukrainian professional and private networks. Despite information gaps, the combination of expert and migrant interviews in combination with the analysis of research studies and secondary sources produced important findings on this topic. Firstly, irregular female migration is economically motivated and women are driven to Italy through specific push and pull factors. Secondly, employment and daily life as a caregiver to the elderly in Italy entails economic advantages, but psychological disadvantages for Ukrainian women. 1