Social Services

Akademikerförbundet SSR , together with other academic unions, has reached two new two-year collective agreements with the state-owned company Samhall. The agreements cover approximately 20,000 workers across Sweden, many of whom are employed in cleaning, logistics, manufacturing, and service roles, with a focus on creating employment for people with disabilities. Salaries will increase by at least 3.1% in 2025 and at least 2.7% in 2026. In addition, 0.2% will be allocated annually to the flex pension scheme in both years, bringing the total flex pension contribution to 1.7% of wages by 2026

Unions in Norway have reached an agreement with Norlandia on the 2025 interim wage settlement for kindergarten workers. The negotiations were conducted jointly by Fagforbundet , Delta , and the Education Union, under Spekter Area 12. While the agreement will formally take effect once all negotiations in Area 12 are concluded, the unions report that the outcome is positive for members. The agreement includes central wage increases effective from 1 April 2025: NOK 16,000 for staff without specific qualifications, NOK 18,000 for skilled workers and assistants, and up to NOK 26,000 for

Workers in Ireland’s publicly funded health, social care, and community services have overwhelmingly approved a new pay agreement, securing a 9.25% increase over two years. The agreement, reached through negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), covers staff in organisations funded under Sections 10, 39, 40 and 56 of Irish legislation. SIPTU and Fórsa members voted strongly in favour of the deal, which follows sustained campaigning for pay parity with public sector counterparts. The agreement runs from October 2024 to October 2026 and includes incremental general round

Workers from Belgium’s non-profit sector will take to the streets of Brussels on 22 May to demand better working conditions and policies that recognise the value of care and social services. The action follows a major demonstration last November, when 30,000 workers protested against staff shortages, unsustainable workloads, and government inaction. Union representatives from FGTB-ABVV and CSC-ACV underline that there has been no progress since last autumn, with growing concerns over career endings, the impact of government measures on women, and the privatisation of public services