Prerequisits:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. Basic knowledge of social science and humanities theories and research methods, especially in migration studies, is recommended.

Content:

1. Demographic Processes and Migration

• The formation of migration as a socially relevant process
• The placement of migration within demographic processes
• Demographic theories and ‘alternative demographies’ – confronting methodological and epistemological questions
• Categorical fetishism and typology of migration
• Socio-political shaping of migration statistics
• Intersectionality and ‘migration’ and ‘demographic’ crises

2. Impact of Demographic Processes on the Global and European Labour Market

• Selectivity and legitimacy of labour migration and the importance of intersectionality
• The positioning of labour migration in the labour markets of both origin and destination countries
• Migration, labour market, colonialism, and neoliberal capitalism

3. Policies of Active Recruitment of Workers from Third Countries

• Analysis of selected bilateral agreements
• Operation of recruitment and labour intermediation agencies
• Ethical aspects of recruitment in light of labour shortages in third countries

4. Analysis of Selected Shortage Occupations in the EU, with a Focus on the Health and Care Sectors

• Statistical overview and analysis of mismatches between labour supply and demand in the EU labour market
• Analysis of the need for healthcare and care work due to population ageing and retirement of workers in these sectors
• The issue of informal employment of care workers in the context of the retreat of the welfare state

5. Labour Mobility Within the EU

• Analysis of policies aimed at balancing labour market disparities within the EU, with a focus on the posting of workers

Readings:

• Coleman, D. (2006). Immigration and Ethnic Change in Low-Fertility Countries: A Third Demographic Transition. Population and Development Review, 32 (3): 401–446, jstor.org/stable/20058898
• European Commission: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Hassan, E., Siöland, L., Akbaba, B., Cinova, D. et al. (2024). Annual report on intra-EU labour mobility 2023, Publications Office of the European Union, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/59413
• Kertzer DI, Arel D (ed) (2001). Census and Identity: The Politics of Race, Ethnicity, and Language in National Censuses. Cambridge University Press.
• Krause, L. E. (2001). “Empty Cradles” and the Quiet Revolution: Demographic Discourse and Cultural Struggles of Gender, Race and Class in Italy, Cultural Anthropology, 16 (4): 576–611, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43763309_’Empty_Cradles’_and_the_Quiet_Revolution_Demographic_Discourse_and_Cultural_Struggles_of_Gender_Race_and_Class_in_Italy
• Riley NE, McCarthy J. Demography in the Age of the Postmodern. Cambridge University Press; 2003.
• Ruhs, M., Anderson, B. (eds) (2010). Who Needs Migrant Workers? Labour shortages, immigration, and public policy, Oxford Academic, https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199580590.001.0001
• Saetnan, A.R., Lomell, H.M., & Hammer, S. (eds.) (2010). The Mutual Construction of Statistics and Society (1st ed.). Routledge, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203846612
• Szreter, S., Sholkamy, H., & Dharmalingam, A. (2004). Categories and Contexts: Anthropological and Historical Studies in Critical Demography, Oxford University Press, USA. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199270570.001.0001
• Vah Jevšnik, M., Toplak, K. (eds) (2023). Further Discussions on Labour Mobility in the EU. 1st ed., Založba ZRC, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/2084/8552/2202
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca (2018). The ethical dimension of healthcare worker mobility. In: Toplak, K. & Vah Jevšnik, M. (eds). Labour mobility in the EU, Založba ZRC SAZU, pp. 39-59, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/1278/5395/2859

Objectives and competences:

The course examines migration in contemporary and historical discussions on population dynamics, situating migration within the interconnected processes of fertility, mortality, and longevity, or more specifically, the processes of population ageing. The focus is on studying the impact of demographic processes on the dynamics of the global and especially the European labour market, which is currently facing significant mismatches between labour supply and demand. We will conduct an in-depth analysis of the strategies, policies, and ethical considerations surrounding the active recruitment of workers from third countries, with particular attention to healthcare and care professions in the context of population ageing, the retreat of the welfare state, the marketisation of services, and the expansion of the informal labour market. The course also provides an overview of forms of labour mobility within the EU, particularly the posting of workers, which is used as a short-term measure to mitigate labour shortages in occupations with a workforce deficit.

Upon completion of the course, students will:

• understand the concept of migration within the broader context of population dynamics, with an emphasis on its connection to fertility, mortality, and ageing (longevity),
• understand how migration is embedded in both historical and contemporary demographic processes,
• be able to investigate how demographic changes, including migration, are linked to key issues such as labour market dynamics, the sustainability of the pension system, the healthcare system, etc,
• understand and be able to critically assess the scale and consequences of demographic changes on the labour market in the European Union,
• be able to critically analyse the various strategies for recruiting workers aimed at alleviating labour shortages in occupations with workforce deficit.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Understanding and explanation of key concepts and theories
• Ability to critically analyse academic and non-academic sources of information
• Ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases
• Ability to evaluate different perspectives and construct evidence-based arguments
• Conducting independent research using appropriate methods
• Participation in group discussions and effective presentation of one’s own arguments

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Work in smaller groups or pair work
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts
• Case studies
• Different presentation

Assessment:

• Long written assignments 80 %
• Presentations 20 %

Lecturer’s references:

• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca (2018). The ethical dimension of healthcare worker mobility. In: Toplak, K. & Vah Jevšnik, M. (eds). Labour Mobility in the EU. 1st ed. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC SAZU, pp. 39-59, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/1278/5395/2859
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca, Cukut Krilić, Sanja. A perfect storm : demographic ageing, severe healthcare staff stortages, and globalisation of healthcare labour markets. V: VAH JEVŠNIK, Mojca (ur.), TOPLAK, Kristina (ur.). Further discussions on labour mobility in the EU. 1st ed. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, 2023, pp. 59-77, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/2084/8552/2202
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca (2025). Access to information on the posting of third-country nationals : the case of Slovenia. Dve domovini : razprave o izseljenstvu, 61, pp. 49-64, https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/twohomelands/article/view/14363/12423
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca, Danja, Sonila, Kielbasa, Marcin, Szaraniec, Monika (2023). There and gone again? Migration to and posting of third-country nationals from Slovenia and Poland. European labour law journal, vol. 14, issue 3, pp. 391-420.
• VAH JEVŠNIK, Mojca (2021). Welfare considerations underpinning healthcare workers’ decision about migration : the case of Slovenia. In: RYNDYK, Oleksandr (ed), SUTER, Brigitte (ed), ODDEN, Gunhild (ed). Migration to and from welfare states : lived experiences of the welfare-migration nexus in a globalised world. Cham: Springer, pp. 123-141. IMISCOE research series, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-67615-5