Care work – whether paid or unpaid – lies at the heart of a functioning society. From the care provided to children and elderly family members to the domestic chores that keep homes running smoothly, it’s often the invisible labour that holds everything together.
Yet this vital work is undervalued, poorly compensated, and largely performed by women.
If left unaddressed, the gaps and inequalities in the care sector could lead to a global care crisis that will impact both the economy and social stability.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has sounded the alarm, calling for urgent action to build a sustainable care economy.
A HIDDEN BACKBONE OF SOCIETY
According to the ILO, the care economy includes all types of care work, both paid and unpaid. Unpaid care work is typically done without financial compensation and is often overlooked despite being essential.
Think of a mother caring for her child, an adult caring for an elderly parent, or a neighbour helping out with chores. Paid care work, on the other hand, involves those employed in fields like healthcare, education, or as domestic workers.
Care work can be divided into direct tasks, like feeding, nursing, or personal assistance, and indirect tasks, such as cooking and cleaning. Both types are crucial but are undervalued, especially when unpaid or performed by migrant workers.
Globally, women provide most of the unpaid care work, often sacrificing career growth or financial stability. As a result, the current structure of the care economy reinforces gender inequalities and limits women’s participation in the workforce.
In response, the ILO passed a significant resolution in June 2024 at the International Labour Conference, focusing on creating “decent work” within the care economy. Decent work means fair wages, job security, safe working conditions, and respect for the worker’s rights.
The resolution emphasises the need to reimagine care work through strong public policy, financial investment and social change.
One of the major challenges is that care jobs are often low-paid and lack adequate protections. Workers in the informal sector, particularly domestic and migrant workers, frequently endure poor working conditions, long hours, and minimal legal protections.
The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on these issues, revealing the vulnerability of care workers and the essential role they play.
During the crisis, care workers were on the front lines, yet many were without proper health protections or job security, exposing the system’s fragility and the urgent need for reform.
FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE
The ILO resolution pushes for a transformative approach to the care economy by recommending policies that recognise and value care work, both paid and unpaid.
It calls on governments to fund quality public care services and improve working conditions for care workers.
This would not only benefit care workers but also help reduce the heavy burden of unpaid care on women.
By redistributing care responsibilities more evenly across society – through better services, community support, and shared family roles – women can have fairer access to paid employment and greater economic independence.
Investing in the care economy is not only a social imperative but also an economic opportunity. The demand for care jobs is growing rapidly due to ageing populations and changes in family structures.
By improving conditions and wages in care professions, countries can attract more workers to the sector and ensure high-quality services for those in need.
This approach would also create a sustainable model for future employment, especially in sectors like healthcare and early childhood education, where skilled care workers are increasingly needed.
The ILO report on care work, released in 2018, further highlights the long-term potential for the care sector. It details policy recommendations in areas like labour, social protection, and migration to ensure that both paid and unpaid care workers are supported.
The report underscores the importance of recognising unpaid care as legitimate work that contributes to society’s well-being and economic stability.
By creating policies that address care work, societies can help bridge the gender gap and ensure a fairer, more inclusive labour market for all.
One of the guiding frameworks introduced by the ILO is the “5R Framework for Decent Care Work”. This approach centres on five key actions:
1. Recognition: Valuing both paid and unpaid care work as essential contributions to society.
2. Reduction: Easing the burden of unpaid care, often shouldered by women, through better access to public services and support.
3. Redistribution: Ensuring that care responsibilities are more evenly shared within families and communities.
4. Reward: Providing fair wages and social protections for paid care workers, including domestic and migrant workers.
5. Representation: Supporting the voices of care workers in social dialogue and policymaking, empowering them to advocate for their rights.
SHARED CARE, SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
To further champion these changes, the ILO declared October 29 as the International Day of Care and Support, a time to spotlight the importance of care work and the need for investment in a resilient, inclusive care economy.
This annual observance aims to raise awareness, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote policies that build a supportive infrastructure for all care workers.
Building a stronger care economy will require collaboration across various sectors.
Governments, employers, unions, and citizens each have a role to play. Policies that encourage shared caregiving, such as parental leave for both mothers and fathers, alongside investment in quality childcare and eldercare services, can go a long way in supporting care workers and reducing gender inequality.
Public-private partnerships can also be instrumental in expanding access to quality care services and improving job security for care workers.
The ILO continues to lead this global effort, advocating for international standards that promote decent work within the care sector.
By supporting countries in implementing these policies, the ILO aims to create a future where care work is recognised, valued, and fairly compensated, helping to build a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.
The resolution from the ILO and its broader initiatives are a call to action for society to rethink how we value care work.
Care is not just a private matter; it’s a fundamental part of our social and economic fabric.
Recognising and supporting care work is essential to achieving gender equality, sustainable economic growth, and a fair future of work for all.
Addressing these challenges will not only benefit care workers but will also lead to healthier, more resilient societies that recognise the true worth of this essential labour. – Features Desk
