Mutual learning workshop on long-term care workforce : 23 - 24 April 2024 : summary report

This report presents the key findings from the 'Mutual learning workshop on long-term care workforce', which took place on 23-24 April 2024 in Brussels. The workshop was the third of its kind, previous events focused on quality in long-term care (June 2023), and adequate social protection in long-term care (October 2023). A regular meeting of the long-term care coordinators preceded the workshop. The workshop was attended by participants representing 24 Member States EU-level stakeholders (the European Social Network (ESN), the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), the Federation of European Social Employers (FESE), the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT), the European Federation for Family Employment and home Care (EFFE), the European Federation for Services to Individuals (EFSI), Eurocarers, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), UNI Europa, Eurodiaconia) and international organisations (the World Health Organization (WHO) - Europe). The objective of the workshop was to delve into various aspects related to long-term care workforce, which is a foundational element of the Council Recommendation on affordable high-quality long-term care1 (hereafter the 'Recommendation'). Given that Member States are required to report to the European Commission about their proposed measures for implementing the Recommendation 18 months after its adoption (i.e. June 2024), the workshop served as a platform for participants to exchange insights and experiences with both peers and experts. Topics of discussion included challenges and best practices concerning the long-term care workforce, with a focus on social dialogue and collective bargaining, education and training, and targeted support for vulnerable workers.