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:
European health workers must not be the scapegoats of the crisis. Decent work is needed to improve Europe's health
(19 October 2011- Press Communication) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) held the biggest gathering in 2011 of health workers in Europe to discuss the effects of the
EPSU response to consultation on Green Paper on the Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive
(Brussels 20 September 2011) EPSU today submitted a contribution to the public consultation on the Green Paper on the Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive - COM(2011) 367 final -
ver.di campaign on fighting social dumping for health care workers
(5 May 2011 Berlin/Brussels) On 15 April 2011 German EPSU affiliate Vereinigte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (ver.di) launched an initiative to promote ethical cross-border recruitment and the concept of good work with the
Tackling third party violence and harassment in the health care sector in Bulgaria and across Europe
(Brussels, 18 April 2011) EPSU participated in a round table on the organised by Bulgarian member Federation of Trade Unions – Health Services (FTU-HS) and the Bulgarian Association of Health