PHS Joint Statement on Labour and Skills Shortages in the Personal and Household Services Sector in Europe

The Mission Letter recently issued to the designated Commissioner for People, Skills, and Preparedness for the European Commission’s new term (2024-2029), highlights the urgent need to address labour and skills shortages, which remain a significant obstacle to building a more robust and resilient European Union following the Covid-19 crisis. As one of the most affected sectors, Personal and Household Services (PHS) Social Partners (EFFE, EFSI, EFFAT, and UNI Europa) welcome this recognition and stress the immediate need to address these shortages.

The demand for domestic and home care services is rising, driven by an ageing population and shifting demographics, yet the sector is struggling with increasingly severe labour shortages, year after year. The growing demand for employment in the PHS sectors has the potential to generate up to 17.5 million jobs by 2035. However, recent CEDEFOP estimates indicate that employment growth in the care sector is projected at only 7%, hindered by factors such as working conditions, job quality, skill gaps, and evolving skills requirements.

In light of this, the PHS Social Partners urge the new Commission to prioritise addressing labour and skills shortages in the PHS sectors, as its mandate begins later this year.

Read the full statement below.

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