SGI Europe welcomes the EU Care Strategy

On Wednesday 7 September, the European Commission presented a comprehensive package of measures aimed at improving the quality of services as well as working conditions in the care sector. The package includes a transversal communication on a new care strategy and two Council Recommendations for Member States on the revision of the Barcelona targets on early childhood education and care, and on access to affordable high-quality long-term care.

 Commenting on the Package, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, said:

“The quality of life of all European citizens is impacted by care services at some point in their lifetime. That is why it was crucial for the European Commission to table a consolidated strategy focused on care service’s affordability, availability and accessibility for all.”
 
“SGI Europe welcomes that the Council Recommendation directly addresses the issue of lack of funding and investment for long-term care services present in many Member states especially at a time of crisis when social services of general interest are also heavily impacted by the present difficult economic context. We also welcome EC commitment to better targeting the significant EU funding opportunities already available via Instruments, such as the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the European Social Fund plus, or the Just Transition Fund. The Recommendation also importantly calls for Member states to improve the quality of their own investments via diverse new measures.”

“It was equally crucial to address in this package the issue of labour shortages in the care sectors, which is often reported about by SGI Europe’s members. We welcome that the Commission emphasizes the importance of including social partners at EU and National level in delivering sustainable and resilient strategies for tackling labour shortages in the care sector. Social dialogue remains integral in targeting transversal issues like education and training, career prospects, and migration pathways in improving the quality of European care. SGI Europe is committed to support these efforts and to contribute to the new initiatives announced by the European Commission.”
 
"Finally, it was important for this package to also recognize and provide tools to address the gender sectoral segregation of care in the EU. SGI Europe welcomes that the Council recommendation aims at improving skills, working conditions and at tackling gender stereotypes.  All these measures must lead Member States in making long-term care professions more attractive for both men and women."

(Photo: EC - Audiovisual Service)