ILO to Develop Framework for Workforce Protection in Care Economy

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is set to convene discussions aimed at formulating a comprehensive framework to safeguard the global workforce in the care economy. This initiative responds to emerging challenges and underscores the critical role of care workers, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key-highlights of the Issue

• Discussion Agenda: The upcoming annual conference of the ILO will focus on strategies to enhance understanding and recognition of the care economy, aligning it with principles of decent work and social justice.
• Global Significance: With participation from 187 countries, including India, the conference aims to foster dialogue on policies for the promotion of care workers and the reduction of discrimination within the sector.
• Scope of Care Economy: Encompassing education, health, social work, and domestic services, the care economy is vital for sustainable economic development and the provision of decent work opportunities.

1: Dimension- Importance of Care Economy

• Critical Role: Care workers, including healthcare professionals and domestic aides, play a pivotal role in supporting individuals and communities, especially during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Economic Contribution: The care economy contributes significantly to global employment, with projections indicating substantial growth by 2030, necessitating policy alignment and investment to meet evolving demands.

2: Dimension- Policy Recommendations

• Recognition of Unpaid Care Work: Policymakers are urged to recognise, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work, ensuring alignment with international standards and promoting gender equality in workforce participation.
• Promotion of Decent Work: Emphasising the importance of decent work for care workers, policies should aim to enhance working conditions, provide social protections, and mitigate discrimination within the sector.

3: Dimension- Impact of the Situation

• Growth in Care Jobs: According to ILO’s own estimates, global employment in care and related jobs could grow to 358 million by 2030 from 206 million in 2015. If sufficient investment is made to meet the SDGs, this figure could grow to 475 million. In India alone, an additional 22.74 million workers need to be recruited to meet the 2030 national health and education policy targets.
• Women’s Access to Work: Globally, an estimated 606 million working-age women are outside the workforce due to caring responsibilities and social reproduction. The non-availability of paid care services has a significant impact on women’s access to decent work and productive employment, as it compromises their opportunities to engage on an equal basis in paid work or income-generating activities.

4: Dimension- Required Measures

• Policy Alignment: Countries should focus on aligning their policies to recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work, while at the same time promoting decent work for the workers.
• Public Investment in Care: The ILO notes that public investment in care varies by country and by type. It ranges from over 8 per cent of GDP in Denmark and Sweden to less than 1 per cent in South Africa, Mexico, Turkey, India, and Indonesia. There is a need to explore all possible fiscal space options to scale up public investments in care.

Mains Practice Question

Q: “Discuss the importance of developing a comprehensive framework for the protection of the global workforce in the care economy.