Paper Short Abstract:

In this paper, I will examine (un)written narratives about the qualifications and training of Polish live-in care workers sent to Germany by transnational brokerage agencies. These narratives are constructed along intersecting gendered and ethnicised lines and reinforce social inequalities.

Paper Abstract:

Current demographic, political, and social trends, fueled by economic inequalities, have led to a significant crisis in care and social reproduction. To address gaps in care provision, the demand for transnational migrant live-in senior care is growing, allowing almost anyone to take up this work. However, this care model is highly contested due to its conflicts with human and labor rights and its exploitation of social inequalities. Moreover, in the absence of legislation regulating the qualifications of carers and monitoring mechanisms, this model poses risks not only to the carers but also to the recipients of care. In recent years, commercial brokerage agencies have emerged as self-regulating actors, driving the formalization, digitalization, and professionalization of the sector. They have introduced specific training programs for care workers, while still emphasizing the importance of soft skills and personal traits along gendered and ethnicised lines. What role does the education of transnational live-in care workers play for the workers themselves, the care recipients, and the brokerage agencies? What vulnerabilities and forms of agency arise from the intersectional positioning of care workers, particularly with regard to their age, gender, ethnicity, and educational backgrounds? Based on semi-structured interviews with caregivers and representatives of brokerage agencies, participant observation of online and in-person training courses and Facebook groups, and a content analysis of training materials, this study explores the (un)written narratives surrounding the qualifications and training of Polish live-in care workers sent to Germany by transnational brokerage agencies, using an intersectional approach.