By Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes
World economies and societies are deeply depending on care work, each paid and unpaid, for his or her functioning and progress. From assembly the bodily, emotional and psychological wants of kids and the aged, to providers comparable to well being and schooling, care is crucial in any respect levels of life.
This work is carried out in numerous settings: in properties, by state establishments, non-profit organizations and personal corporations. Nevertheless, the way in which through which this care is offered and renumerated has a profound influence on gender equality and on social and financial growth.
In recognition of its significance, the United Nations Basic Meeting has declared October 29 because the Worldwide Day of Care and Assist. This date seeks to boost consciousness on the central function care work performs in our societies, and to advertise a vital change in how it’s organized and valued.
The care economic system, which encompasses each paid and unpaid care work, has been highlighted as an pressing want in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This disaster uncovered the fragility of present care techniques, revealing that individuals’s well-being and the functioning of economies rely to a big extent on the invisible work that sustains on a regular basis life. The problem we face at present is evident: we should rethink the care economic system and put folks on the centre of coverage and sustainable growth.
Three main international developments have an effect on the way forward for the care economic system: growing old populations, digitalization and local weather change. These phenomena enhance the demand for care providers, whereas on the similar time complicate their provision. A complete strategy is essential, the place there may be co-responsibility between the state, civil society, the personal sector and households. Nevertheless, the state should assume main duty by means of insurance policies that foster an inclusive, equitable and accessible care ecosystem for all.
At this time, 76 per cent of unpaid care work worldwide falls on girls, an imbalance that perpetuates inequalities. In Latin America and the Caribbean, this kind of work represents one third of feminine employment. In some sectors, comparable to home work, with 15 million home staff within the area, 76 per cent of them have been in casual employment. Moreover, it’s estimated that funding in common baby and long-term care providers might generate as much as 30 million jobs in our area by 2035.
In 2022, the Governing Physique of the Worldwide Labour Group (ILO) took a big step by selling a basic dialogue on the care economic system, which culminated within the adoption of a landmark decision on the 112th Worldwide Labour Convention in June 2024. This worldwide tripartite settlement reaffirms that, like every other type of work, work within the care economic system isn’t a commodity and that each one folks ought to have entry to care, together with self-care, beneath first rate working situations for many who present these providers.
The ILO, with its historic management in selling first rate work, performs a key function in advancing the care economic system. The ILO’s strategy, primarily based on the 5Rs – acknowledge, cut back, redistribute, reward and signify care work – is a transparent roadmap for structural change. This framework promotes the creation of formal jobs, improved working situations and enough illustration for staff within the sector, strengthening a system primarily based on rights and respect for human dignity.
Investing within the care economic system is a dedication to a extra simply, equal and sustainable future. The ILO, by means of its Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality locations care on the coronary heart of financial and social growth. With its tripartite strategy and the facility of social dialogue, it is going to proceed to guide this course of in the direction of a extra equitable society, the place everybody receives the care they want, and people who do care work accomplish that beneath truthful situations.
The Worldwide Day of Care and Assist reminds us that care work isn’t just a necessity; it’s an act of justice. Selling stronger and extra inclusive care techniques, insurance policies and licensing is the inspiration of a extra equitable world, the place collective well-being and first rate work go hand in hand.
(Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes is ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean)
