The European Commission's proposal for a comprehensive European care strategy that should guarantee to all Europeans the possibility of receiving high quality healthcare and care services throughout their lifetime has been welcomed by the EESC.

The EESC has hailed the Commission's proposals for a European Care Strategy as an important step towards achieving an accessible and affordable care structure in Europe which caters to the needs of care receivers from birth to old age and supports all care providers regardless of their employment status.

In the opinion adopted at its January plenary session, the EESC made several recommendations regarding the strategy and its two proposals, namely the proposals on early childhood education and care (ECEC) and on long-term care, adopted by the Council in December.
The EESC also renewed its suggestion to launch a European Care Guarantee. Similar to the EU Youth Guarantee, this instrument would help ensure quality healthcare and care services for everyone living in the EU. It would also address care deficits and promote decent working conditions for both formal and informal carers.

"In addition to being available, accessible and affordable, we also maintain that care should be inclusive, sustainable and human rights-based. High-quality care for all is still not a reality for many in Europe," said the opinion's rapporteur Kinga Joó.

The opinion stresses the need to prioritise the affordability and continuity of care services in response to the current shocks linked to the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and the cost of living crisis. It calls for proper funding for the care sector and for Member States to ensure that jobs in care are attractive and properly paid and valued.

"The approach taken in our opinion shares the concerns raised by civil society actors. It is based on the very ideal of a social Europe. We also highlight the role of the Member States, as they are the main pillar in the care strategy. If we do not convince them that they should take ownership of the issues listed and if they are not going to fill the gaps in their national systems, we will not go very far with the strategy," said the co-rapporteur Zoe Tzotze-Lanara.

Key recommendations set out in the opinion include supporting families in their fundamental role in care, a swift mapping of the needs and realities of family carers and informal carers, achieving gender balance and equality in both the formal and informal care sectors and better protection of the rights of all care workers, regardless of their migration and residence status. (ll)