Abstract The article discusses Human Resources for Health in a context of changes in the labor world, due to the globalization. It analyzes the main aspects of international health by establishing a correlation between these aspects and the Human Resources for Health agenda. It raises a conceptual discussion about the different approaches of the theme “From human resources management to labor management”. It discusses the international agenda for Human Resources for Health established by the World Health Organization in a short, medium and long-term perspective. It analyzes Human Resources for Health in the context of implementation of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and state reforms in Brazil. Finally, it presents the results of researches on human resources management capacity in Municipal Health Departments and points out the prospect of building national and local capacities, also indicating the issues to be included in national agenda
