There are almost 2.6 million domestic workers in Europe working in private homes or others. Though representing a huge and vital workforce, their economic and social contribution has often been denied and they are longing for recognition. Although domestic workers are finally enjoying more social rights, trade unions have a key role to play to achieve improved working conditions for domestic workers within and across borders. Since the EFFAT Congress in November 2019, EFFAT engagement towards domestic workers has been enshrined in the new EFFAT Statutes, the EFFAT Political Framework 2020-2024, and the EFFAT Action Plan 2020-2021. The first assembly for domestic workers took place in December 2020. The sector’s leadership will be elected in May 2021.
An alliance of employers, trade unions, European and international institutions and civil society organisations has ramped up calls for the protection of Europe’s 9.5 million domestic workers, including millions of home care workers. On the 10th Anniversary of the ILO...
On 1 June 2021 EFFAT held its second and very participated Executive Committee meeting of the year. During a fruitful, day-long discussion with affiliates, the Executive committee adopted an EFFAT position paper on labour mobility and migration (EN). EFFAT sectors...
Over the last year, EFFAT has started to build a sectoral structure for domestic workers to ensure the European representation of the sector through trade union engagement, and a solid and comprehensive political commitment. On the occasion of today’s 2nd Sectoral...
On International Migrants Day, EFFAT celebrates all migrant workers that allow some of its sectors to thrive. Over the last year, they have exposed their lives to provide essential services and kept vital sections of the economy going through the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
EFFAT, EFFE, EFSI and UNI Europa are delighted by the announcement that the European Commission is progressing with the acquisition of a large number of doses of an anti-Covid19 vaccine that will then be distributed to Member States[1]. The Commission’s prioritising...
On International Domestic Workers Day 2020, trade unions and allied domestic workers’ groups are foregrounding the essential, but often undervalued or overlooked efforts of domestic workers in Europe and across the globe. No workers have been immune to the coronavirus...
The statement is supported by IDWF (International Domestic Workers Federation) Across Europe, personal and household services (PHS) provider organisations, private employers and workers are mobilising to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ultimate...
The COVID-19 outbreak is having a seismic impact on the world and the way people live together with inevitable consequences on the working conditions of all workers. Representing 25 million workers from farm to fork, the EFFAT sectors are particularly affected. In...
The Coronavirus is changing the world and the way people live together. Measures to contain and combat the COVID-19 pandemic have inevitable consequences on the working conditions of all workers. Being responsible to guarantee daily food supply to Europeans, EFFAT...
Since June 2019, trade unions and employers in Belgium have been negotiating to conclude a fair collective agreement on wages and working conditions for domestic workers employed via service vouchers. While all salaries have increased by 1.1% in Belgium, only the...
