Joint Position Paper on Preparing the social services sector for the COVID-19 resurgence and increasing its resilience

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the social services sector, which represents 11 million staff in Europe, has to face many challenges linked to occupational safety and health. In some countries, the pandemic has shown a lack of organisational measures, safety protocols and protective equipment in the sector that are needed to respond effectively to such a health emergency.

In this Joint Position Paper, the Social Employers and EPSU provide a set of recommendations for the preparedness of the sector to secure protection and safety for service users and workers. The recommendations respond to the challenges that the social services sector faced and is still facing due to the pandemic.

The paper also highlights the role of the European Institutions & Member States and the role of Collective Bargaining and Social Dialogue. Social partners play a key role in ensuring occupational health and safety by agreeing possible solutions, measures and initiatives, promoting the recognition of the sector and exchanging of good practices.

Read the full joint position paper here.