Objectives

1. Systematic comparative knowledge on collective bargaining

Deepening systematic and comparative knowledge and disseminating information on the structure and coverage of collective bargaining and representation, unionization rate, and job quality in the care sector, concentrating in particular on ECEC and LTC services across different EU countries.

2. Country-specific initiatives to extend collective bargaining

Examining the country-specific repertoire of actions adopted by the social partners to extend and develop collective bargaining coverage as a measure to improve the quantity and quality of work in the care sector. This will allow delivering expert insights on how more encompassing collective bargaining institutions and social dialogue bodies enable improving working conditions and job quality, as well as reducing skill and labour shortages.

3. Social partners’ activation

Fostering awareness and activation of social partners, stakeholders, and policy-makers on the critical issues regarding the quantity and quality of work in the care sector across EU countries at both the European, national, and sectorial levels by setting up a systematic and constructive dialogue with them.

4. Dissemination

Disseminating the results of the research actions and stimulating information exchange, social dialogue, and collective bargaining among social partners, stakeholders, and policymakers at the EU, national, and sectorial levels on how collective bargaining and other social dialogue initiatives are dealing with the quantity and quality of work in the care sector across different EU Member States.