Social Employers members discuss EU Care Strategy & effects of the energy/cost-of-living crisis on social services

The European Care Strategy, released on 7 September, is after the European Pillar of Social Rights, one of the most powerful tools to build a Social Europe. This is why, on 25 October, the Social Employers hosted an online workshop to discuss how social services employers can make use of this European Care Strategy at national level.

During a roundtable discussion, members shared their initial impressions and discussed actions and initiatives on the EU Care Strategy. Some are already in contact with national authorities to discuss ways to move forward and improve working conditions and job attractiveness in the sector. Others are expecting the publication of the two Council recommendations on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and on Long Term Care (LTC) to take action.

Participants welcomed that the Strategy puts ECEC and LTC in the focus, calls for investing in social services and recognises the important contribution of care services to social fairness, gender equality and job creation. The importance of a proactive implementation, via national action plans, strong monitoring and follow-up mechanisms to make the Strategy work were also highlighted. 

The fact the Care Strategy stresses the importance of social dialogue and the need to build capacity of social partners at national and EU level were also welcomed by participants.

During a subsequent Board meeting, members discussed the energy and cost-of-living crisis and its effects on social services, as well as different actions taken in the respective countries so far. To contribute to these issues, the Social Employers published a leaflet, which calls for actions in the short and medium term and includes measures implemented by some social services.