Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago

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The work of caring for children, elderly and other people with limitations in activities of daily living, lies at the heart of a well-functioning society. Yet, there are significant weaknesses in the European care sector that came to the forefront of the public’s attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most workers in the care sector have low earnings and precarious working conditions. About 9 in 10 care workers are women and most unpaid care in households is carried out by women. Now that the pandemic-related stress has subsided, where do we stand?
This EPRS-OECD policy roundtable will delve into the current EU policy debate on how a sustainable European approach to care can be ensured and generate high returns for society.

OECD study: Beyond Applause? Improving Working Conditions in Long-Term Care: oecd.org/publications/beyond-applause-improving-working-conditions-in-long-term-care-27d33ab3-en.htm
European Parliament Resolution of 5 July 2022 towards a common European action on care, 2021/2253(INI): https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0278_EN.html

Speakers:
Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS, MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament; Chair of the EP High-level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity
Milan BRGLEZ, MEP, Member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, MEP, Member of the Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs, and on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Maria WALSH, MEP, Member of the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs, and on Culture and Education
Hervé BOULHOL, Senior Economist, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD
Elena ZACHARENKO, Doctoral researcher, Tampere University, Finland
Meena FERNANDES, Policy Analyst, European Added Value Unit, EPRS
Moderator: Claudio COLLOVA, Policy Analyst, Linking the Levels Unit, EPRS

EPRS briefings:
European care strategy: Pre-legislative synthesis of national, regional and local positions on the European Commission's initiative: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2022/733626/EPRS_BRI(2022)733626_EN.pdf
Reforming long-term care in the EU: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2023/751475/EPRS_ATA(2023)751475_EN.pdf
What if care work were recognised as a driver of sustainable growth?: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2022/730333/EPRS_BRI(2022)730333_EN.pdf
Health-related measures in the national recovery and resilience plans: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)753932

EPRS videos chronicles:
Care work in the EU: The care penalty: youtu.be/lcQq5kCa-2s
Care work in the EU: Working in the care work sector: youtu.be/N0vB0TAJKoQ
Care work in the EU: Reversing the vicious cycle: youtu.be/OKrZJpDvmlw