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Migration, Work and Health
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GILS Learning · Certificate course 5 of 7 · GILS-C05

Migration, Work and Health

Labour migration and health: migrant workers' rights, health risks and access to care, with a focus on Georgia and Georgians working abroad.

In development · contributors wanted

Key features

Evidence-basedBuilt on sourced GILS analyses and official data; every figure is cited.
Expert-authoredModules written and reviewed by named specialists in the field.
CertificateCertificate of Completion from GMJ Academy and GILS after the final assessment.

Introduction to the course

Labour migration is a defining feature of Georgia's economy and society. This course examines migration through the lens of work and health: the data on Georgians abroad, the occupational and health risks migrant workers face, their rights under international frameworks, and the competencies needed to work with migrant communities.

Why this course

  • United Nations estimates put the number of people born in Georgia and living abroad at roughly 670,000–860,000, and remittances reached USD 3.36 billion in 2024.
  • Migrant workers face specific occupational and health risks and barriers to care in destination countries.
  • Georgia is developing legal labour migration schemes, including seasonal work in Germany.

Background reading: How many Georgians live abroad? · Remittances and the Georgian economy · Legal labour migration

Who should attend?

  • Health and social workers
  • NGO and community staff working with migrants
  • Officials working on migration and employment
  • Researchers and students

Learning outcomes

On completion, participants will be able to:

  • Describe patterns of labour migration from and to Georgia
  • Identify occupational and health risks for migrant workers
  • Explain international frameworks on migrant workers' rights and health
  • Apply refugee and migrant health competencies in practice

Planned modules

  1. Labour migration: concepts and data
  2. Georgia's migration and remittances
  3. Health risks and access to care for migrant workers
  4. International frameworks: ILO and WHO
  5. Practice: competencies for working with migrants

Provisional outline, to be finalised with module authors and reviewers.

How will you learn?

  • A short knowledge check at the start and at the end of the course, so you can measure your progress.
  • Flexible self-guided modules with readings, short videos and quizzes.
  • Georgian case material drawn from sourced GILS analyses.
  • An end-of-course assessment leading to the certificate.

Call for contributors

GILS and GMJ Academy invite experts to author or review modules of this course. We are looking for: Migration and health specialists; practitioners working with migrant communities. Contributors are credited by name on the course.

To express interest, write to info@accreditation.ge with a short CV and the module(s) you would like to contribute to.

Questions? We have the answers

When will the course open?

The course is in development. The start date will be announced on this page. Use "Register your interest" to be notified.

How much will it cost?

The fee has not yet been set and will be announced on this page before enrolment opens.

Is the certificate officially recognised?

It is a Certificate of Completion issued by GMJ Academy and GILS. It is not a state-recognised qualification and does not carry CPD credits unless such accreditation is obtained and announced here.

Do I need prior knowledge?

No specialist knowledge is required beyond familiarity with the field described under "Who should attend?".

In which language will it be taught?

The course is planned in English and Georgian.

Related courses

Work and Health: Occupational Health for Health Professionals

The medical side of work: occupational disease, workplace injury, fitness for work and return to work — for doctors, nurses and public health staff.

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International Labour Standards and Georgia

How ILO conventions work — ratification, reporting and supervision — and what they mean for Georgia, with a Georgia-specific focus.

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EU Labour Law and Georgia's Accession

The EU labour acquis that Georgia must align with: the Association Agreement, key directives and the main gaps in Georgian law.

Course page →

Series editor: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD. Courses are delivered on academy.gmj.ge. Information as of October 2026.

Cover image — Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0