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Book Chapter

Decent Work in the Care Sector: Policy Gaps and Ways Forward. The CARE4CARE Policy paper

  • Eva Kocher

This chapter presents policy proposals to improve the working conditions of care workers in Europe; based on research from the Care4Care project conducted in six EU Member States. It identifies key challenges in the sector—including labour shortages; low wages; and precarious employment—and highlights the roles of gender and migration in shaping care work. The chapter proposes measures at national and EU level aimed at strengthening labour standards; professional recognition; and the sustainability of care systems.

  • Keywords:
  • Care work,
  • Working conditions,
  • Migration,
  • Gender,
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Eva Kocher

European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Germany - ORCID: 0000-0002-0056-5306

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  • Pages: 361-391
  • Content License: CC BY 4.0
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Chapter Information

Chapter Title

Decent Work in the Care Sector: Policy Gaps and Ways Forward. The CARE4CARE Policy paper

Authors

Eva Kocher

Language

English

DOI

10.36253/979-12-215-1029-4.18

Peer Reviewed

Publication Year

2026

Copyright Information

© 2026 Author(s)

Content License

CC BY 4.0

Metadata License

CC0 1.0

Bibliographic Information

Book Title

CARE4CARE - We Care for Those Who Care - Vol. III

Book Subtitle

Building Dignified Care Work in Europe: Critical Reflections, Policy Proposals and Practical Tools

Editors

Maria Luisa Vallauri, William Chiaromonte

Peer Reviewed

Number of Pages

408

Publication Year

2026

Copyright Information

© 2026 Author(s)

Content License

CC BY 4.0

Metadata License

CC0 1.0

Publisher Name

Firenze University Press

DOI

10.36253/979-12-215-1029-4

ISBN Print

979-12-215-1028-7

eISBN (pdf)

979-12-215-1029-4

eISBN (epub)

979-12-215-1030-0

Series Title

Studi sul lavoro di cura - Studies on Care Work

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