Highlights from EPSU's Working Group "Social Services" (23 September 2015)

Brussels, 14 October 2015

EPSU’s Working Group “Social Services” on 23 September 2015 was attended by 44 colleagues from 14 countries and from 30 affiliates and four guest speakers.

It was built around four topics:


1) child care (services),


2) long-term/elderly care and personal and household services,


3) ethical recruitment and fair employment conditions for migrant health and social care workers and


4) the framework and thematic priorities for a future cooperation of EPSU with relevant employers’ associations and with non-governmental organisations (providers; advocacy organisation) in the field of social services.

Regarding the first topic participants were proposed a triple focus: The first was on child care and the need of social investment, building on a new EPSU briefing (see below). The second was to illustrate a campaign with the aim to recruit and organise in the sector of child care services, based on an example from Germany and the provision of crèches, kindergartens and after-school-care offered by municipalities. The campaign including industrial action to valorise and better recognise the demanding work in child care services helped EPSU affiliate ver.di to recruit a considerable number of new members. It was broadly supported by parents and the general public. Thirdly, EUROFOUND presented research recently finalised on pre-conditions for quality child care, on working and pay conditions and on access to child care services.

On 6 October 2015 EPSU issued a statement on the need to boost investment in child care. It summarises main findings from a new EPSU briefing on the social and economic benefits of good quality childcare and early years’ education (in EN; with an executive summary translated into FR, DE, ES and SV).

By mid October EPSU will publish a brochure to showcase EPSU’s work in the field of personal social services - pointing out EPSU's policy objectives and range of activities in the sector - that was shortly introduced at the meeting. This communication tool is addressed to affiliates and to partner organisations. Two language versions (EN and ES) have already been produced. The brochure will soon become available in six additional languages (FR, DE, BCMS, CZ, IT and SV).

Participants agreed that EPSU should sign the Call to Action "A health worker for everyone, everywhere!" elaborated in the project “Health Workers for All” that had involved EPSU affiliates from Germany, The Netherlands, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.

For more information on the main topics and outcomes of EPSU’s Standing Committee “Health and Social Services” please click here.