Social Dialogue
The Federation of European Social Employers represents national employers in social services at EU level. The national employers are involved in negotiations with workers representatives, in view of ensuring decent jobs and working conditions for a skilled workforce. These negotiations also aim to improve the sector’s attractiveness and are a condition for the quality of the services they provide to persons with social support needs.
European Social Dialogue involves negotiations between social partners (employers and workers representatives) at European level. In July 2023, the European Commission set up a European sectoral social dialogue committee for social services. The Federation of European Social Employers, joined by CEMR, engage in this Committee with their trade union counterpart, the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU).
Prior to the setup of the Committee, the Social Employers and EPSU developed a wide range of joint statements, position papers and thematic seminars on relevant topics for the sector. Through recognised social dialogue they will go further and inform of new developments on this page.
Joint Outcomes
2025
- Social Dialogue Outcome – Framework of Actions on Retention and Recruitment in Social Services
- Joint Contribution – Contribution from the Social Services Social Partners to the European Commission Consultation on a Quality JobsRoadmap
2024
- Joint Contribution – European Commission’s Action Plan on Labour and Skills Shortages
- Joint statement – European Care Strategy: Member States must act now! EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, PT, EL, PL, RO, SV.
2022
- Joint statement – The situation in Ukraine. EN.Joint Declaration – European Care Strategy: strong social dialogue in social services needed. EN, DE, FR, ES.
2021
- Joint Position Paper – The forthcoming European Care Strategy. EN, DE, FR, ES.
- Joint Statement – The importance of developing social dialogue in the Social Economy. EN.
2020
- Joint Position Paper – Preparing the social services sector for the COVID-19 resurgence and increasing its resilience. EN.
- Joint Statement – The Covid-19 Outbreak and Impact on Social Services. EN, DE, FR, ES, IT.
- Joint Position Paper – Recruitment and retention in European Social Services. EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, PT, EL,SV, RO, HU.
2019
Joint Events & Meetings
2025
- Sectorial Social Dialogue Committee – 26th June 2025
- Sectorial Social Dialogue Committee – 20th March 2025
2024
- Sectorial Social Dialogue Committee – 4th November 2025
- Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee – Towards a Framework of Action on Retention and Recruitment in Social Services
- Joint event – Skills, training and working conditions of the social services workforce – FORTE Final Conference
2023
- European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Social Services – Social Partners come together for first Plenary Meeting
- Thematic Seminar – Evolving jobs, skills and training needs in social services
2022
- Thematic Seminar – Addressing workforce needs and challenges in social services to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights and the forthcoming EU Care Strategy
- Joint Event – A big step towards a European sectoral social dialogue committee for social services
2021
- Thematic Seminar – The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Social Services and the Role of Social Dialogue
- Joint Webinar – Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the Social Services sector
2020
- Thematic Seminar – Safe and healthy workplaces in Social Services during and after the COVID-19 and the role of Social Partners
- Thematic Seminar – How to manage diversity and mobility of the workforce in more attractive social services
2019
- Thematic Seminar – Socially responsible Public Procurement for Social Services
- Thematic Seminar – European Social Dialogue for the Social Services Sector
- Thematic Seminar – Recruitment and Retention in Social Services
2018
- Thematic Seminar – Digitalisation in Social Services