Health and Social Services, Health
EPSU is a strong voice for the about 10.5 million social service workers in the EU and in other European countries. Our aims are to protect and improve social services across Europe as well as the employment conditions of workers in the sector. EPSU is actively involved in initiatives exploring the scope and format for social dialogue in social services at EU-level..
There are millions of social service workers across Europe who provide vital care for children, the elderly, the disabled and others with urgent needs – whether at home or in institutions. Their work and contribution to society is undervalued and more often than not poorly rewarded. Women make up the majority of the social services workforce and in many countries migrant workers also make an invaluable contribution to the sector. Gender equality runs through all of EPSU’s work and is central to its activities in social services as is action to defend migrant workers’ rights.
EPSU is making a clear case for more resources for the sector and for better pay and conditions for social service workers, for more and better collective agreements, for proper training and professional development. Supporting quality, affordable and accessible social services is an essential investment that brings both economic and social benefits.
EPSU’s thematic priorities in social services are long-term care for the elderly, including personal care and household services, childcare as well as organising in the sector on which you find more information by clicking on the links below:
EPSU participated at the conference on Long-Term Care of the European Parliament
The conference focused on ensuring a quality of long-term care in Europe and was attended by representatives of the EU Commission (DG Employment), Eurofound, the European Institute for Gender Equality, Eurocarers.
EPSU demands action from EU Health Ministers to improve working conditions and safe staffing for care and health workers
On the occasion of the Council of Ministers for Health on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, EPSU demands that Ministers stand up for the right to health and care, remembering that the resilience of health and care systems means investment and funding.
Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Hospitals and Healthcare Sector debate review of Framework of Actions on Recruitment and Retention
On 30 November 2021 the plenary meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Hospitals and Healthcare Sector took place in the hybrid form.
Project Report and Country Fact Sheets available : Strengthening Sectoral Social Dialogue in the hospital sector in the East, South and Central Europe
The Project Report and Country Fact Sheets are available here from the successful completion of the project “Strengthening Sectoral Social Dialogue in the hospital sector in the East, South and
Challenges in the long-term care sector must be addressed in the EU Care strategy
EPSU representatives participated at the conference "Employment challenges and opportunities in the social care sector: the case of long-term care" organized by Eurodiaconia in cooperation with Social Services Europe.
European Social Partners remind European co-legislators about their statement on inclusion of Hazardous Medicinal Products in the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD)
In the context of the ongoing trialogue on the fourth revision of the CMD (2004/37/EC), HOSPEEM and EPSU would like to highlight the need to include hazardous medicinal products as a new entry in CMD Appendix I.
New European Parliament report confirms EPSUs findings about the weaknesses in long-term care
This week, the European Parliament published a report on the formal and informal long-term care workforce in the EU. Much of the information in the report confirms findings from an EPSU report published for the Global Day of Action for Care Workers.