Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

RemovedThe demand for care in the European Union is growing rapidly due to demographic change, labour market pressures and social transformations. At the same time, care provision remains under-recognised, under-resourced and unequally distributed, with women still bearing a disproportionate share of both paid and unpaid care responsibilities. This imbalance contributes significantly to gender gaps in employment, earnings, pensions and career progression, and limits women’s full participation in society and the economy. In this context, the report “Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap” aims to provide a coherent political vision and policy recommendations to reduce inequalities in care, strengthen the resilience of care systems, and advance gender equality across the European Union.

RemovedCare is a central element in ensuring well-being, dignity, and social equity. Effective care systems are essential for the realisation of human rights, as they enable individuals to fully exercise rights such as education, health, and participation in society. Recognising the social importance of care is crucial to addressing inequalities and promoting a fairer model of social development.

RemovedCare responsibilities are shouldered by women, both in domestic settings and in paid care work. Women form the invisible backbone of care systems, yet this central role has often been accompanied by economic inequality, lack of recognition, and restricted opportunities for personal and professional development. Addressing the gender dimension of care entails professionalising care work and fostering shared responsibility between men and women in domestic and societal contexts.

Removed• The importance of a care economy at the heart of a stronger Union

RemovedThe care economy constitutes a key pillar of Europe’s social and economic systems. It contributes significantly to GDP and employment, with over 6 million people working in the care sector1, the majority of whom are women. Despite this, care work remains undervalued and marked by low pay, difficult working conditions and limited career prospects. Enhancing the status and attractiveness of care professions is vital to addressing persistent labour shortages and to delivering quality, person-centred care. Investing in professional training, lifelong learning and improved working conditions will support the long-term sustainability and resilience of care systems.

RemovedInformal care, which continues to be provided primarily by women, represents a significant share of care provision in the EU. Yet it is often invisible in economic statistics and poorly supported in terms of social protection, pensions and mental health. The recognition and support of informal carers is crucial. Their role should be acknowledged through adequate rights, respite services, and the integration of caregiving experience into skills and employment frameworks. Particular attention must be given to young carers, whose education, well-being and development may be affected by their responsibilities.

RemovedIn addition, the care economy is increasingly shaped by migration. Many care workers in the EU are women from third countries. Legal and well-managed migration policies can contribute to addressing care labour shortages, provided that they are based on fair recruitment practices, decent working conditions and access to rights. The alignment of care workforce needs with skills and migration pathways, including through the EU Talent Pool and the Union of Skills initiative, is essential to ensure a rights-based, inclusive and future-oriented approach to care provision.

RemovedThe report makes a series of recommendations to reduce the gender care gap and promote structural changes. It calls for the full and effective implementation of the Work-Life Balance Directive and urges Member States to promote equal sharing of care responsibilities. It calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve working conditions in the formal care sector, including through fair remuneration, continuous training, career development and safe working environments. The attractiveness of care professions must be enhanced through long-term employment perspectives and professionalisation.

RemovedThe report further encourages the recognition of periods of unpaid caregiving in pension systems and calls for the integration of care-related skills into upskilling and lifelong learning policies. The role of EU funding, including the ESF+, EU4Health and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is highlighted as essential to developing accessible, affordable and high-quality care services across all life stages.

Removed• Transforming the Future of Care – The importance of a care society

RemovedA first step was made at EU level through the first EU Care Strategy, from which we should build on in order to benefit from the EU added value of a common action.

RemovedBuilding on the 2022 European Care Strategy, further EU-led reform and investment in three areas could help to narrow the gender care gap:

Removed• (1) Work-life balance;

Removed• (2) Working conditions in the care sector and

Removed• (3) Availability and accessibility of formal care services.

RemovedThe European added value of further EU action could be driven by the extent of upward harmonisation in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the promotion of free movement of workers, and leveraging European economies of scale for reform and investment.

RemovedThis reports highlights that efforts to strengthen care systems should encompass political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. Politically, care must be incorporated into national policies and social protection frameworks. Economically fair wages, and dignified working conditions for care workers is essential, alongside mechanisms to make the contribution of unpaid care visible . Culturally, raising awareness about the social value of care, promoting shared responsibilities, are fundamental to creating equitable and sustainable care systems.

RemovedThe role of EU funding, including the ESF+, EU4Health and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is highlighted as essential to developing accessible, affordable and high-quality care services across all life stages.

RemovedFinally, the report calls for improved data collection on the gender care gap and the systematic monitoring of the European Care Strategy’s implementation. It also calls for the alignment of the European care strategy with the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030, to ensure inclusive, innovative and accessible care systems. A dedicated European action plan to support single parents and vulnerable families is also recommended, with a focus on employment, childcare, psychosocial support and flexible working conditions.

RemovedThe transition to a care society is a necessary condition for social sustainability, economic resilience and intergenerational solidarity in Europe. Reducing the gender care gap will require coordinated policy efforts, as well as adequate investments. This Report affirms its commitment to placing care at the centre of the EU’s policy agenda.

Removed• Towards a Society Centered on Dignity and Equity

RemovedCare is central to human life, social cohesion, and the realisation of human rights. Building robust care systems strengthens the conditions for human dignity, facilitates the exercise of other rights, and contributes to more equitable, cohesive, and humane societies.