Health and Social Services, Social Dialogue
On 20 September 2006, after six years of preparation, EPSU (the European Federation of Public Service Unions) and HOSPEEM (the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association) launched the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for the Hospital Sector (SSDC HS). 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of this committee and the sectoral social dialogue for the health care sector at EU-level.
Below you will find more detailed information on the main outcomes and the work programmes of the SSDC HS as well as on the three thematic priorities and the various topics dealt with in the context of the joint work:
- Main Outcomes (for the years 2006 to 2018)
- Work Programmes (for the years 2006 to 2019)
- Health and Safety at the Workplace
- Recruitment & Retention
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) & Life-long learning (LLL)
For more information on this preparation phase 2000-2006 EPSU affiliates can read the article "Social dialogue in the hospital sector at EU level".

EPSU meets with Commissioner Kyriakides on staff shortages in the health and care sectors
EPSU recently held a productive discussion with European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, to tackle the critical staff shortages facing healthcare and care workers in Europe.

Multi-sectoral project on “the role of social partners in preventing third-party violence and harassment at work"
HOSPEEM, EPSU, CEMR, CESI as co-applicants and ETF, ETNO, ETUCE, EUPAE, UITP as associated organisations have been provided with financial support from the European Commission for a joint project in the field of social dialogue: “The role of social partners in preventing third-party violence and harassment at work” in the years 2021 and 2023 (VS/2021/0046).

Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Hospitals and Healthcare adopted the Action Plan of Preventing Third Party Violence and Harassment
On 9 June 2023 European Social Partners in the Hospital and Health Sector (EPSU and HOSPEEM) met in hybrid format to discuss the situation of workers and employers in their countries and on the European level.

“Why is upskilling and reskilling so important for LTC workers? What impact does it have on quality?”
Last week, EPSU participated in the online launch event of the ‘Partnership for Skills in Long Term Care – Driving Up Training and Life Long Learning’, organised by the project lead, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities.

Social Dialogue and Staff Shortages on the agenda of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in the Hospital and Health Sector
Almost 40 participants from EU and non EU countries, including Norway and the UK, exchanged information and views on the situation of workers and employers in their countries and on the European level.

Social partners in health share concerns on the energy crisis and its impact on the hospital sector
Health workers and employers came together for a Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting to discuss the European Year of Skills, hazardous medicinal products, the cost-of-living crisis and more.