ILO underlines urgent need to improve working conditions of care workers

ILO News (BRUSSELS) – The ILO participated in a conference on Affordable high-quality long-term care, organized by the European Commission. It took stock of the actions taken across EU Member States under the European care strategy to address the pressing need for quality long-term care (LTC) services, in the context of ageing populations.

The care sector is characterized by decent work deficits. Personal care workers, including domestic workers, are among the most vulnerable categories of care workers. They are particularly important in the provision of long-term care, both in institutional settings and in home-based and community care. Chidi King, Chief of the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch at ILO, discussed several policies and actions for improving access to affordable, high-quality LTC services for all.

“There is an urgent need to invest in improving the working conditions for care workers. This involves ensuring that all care workers are covered by labour and social protections to the same extent as other workers,” she said.

In Europe, care sectors remain highly gender-segregated: over 85 per cent of LTC workers are women. The overall gender pay gap in the sector stands at 24 per cent globally, compared to 20 per cent in other sectors.

Decent terms and conditions of employment need to be set and implemented, to achieve equal pay for work of equal value for all care workers and to increase recruitment and retention. Policy makers should also ensure a safe and healthy, attractive, and stimulating work environment for both women and men care workers. This includes providing training opportunities, and promoting innovation in the sector, e.g. the introduction through social dialogue and use of technology-based and digital solutions in delivering quality care services.

Further, it is key to foster an equal participation of women and men in care jobs and support women’s promotion to management or senior positions in the sector.

According to the ILO’s World Social Protection report 2024-26, only about 60 per cent of older adults in Europe have access to some form of LTC support. There are significant coverage gaps, also in high-income regions.

As the population ages, there is a growing need for long-term care planning, emphasizing the importance of social protection policies that support healthy ageing and ensure access to long-term care without financial strain,

Ms King concluded.