In a report adopted on Tuesday by 436 in favour, 143 against and 54 abstentions, MEPs call on the Commission and member states to fund all types of care services more effectively. European structural and investment funds should be used to invest in childcare, care for older people and others in need of care.

Between 40 and 50 million people provide informal care on a regular basis, the majority of whom are women. MEPs stress that legislative measures and investment are needed at the EU level to promote decent working conditions and to make work in the care sector more attractive. Member states should develop training for informal and formal carers to prevent, prohibit, and combat care-related violence and harassment, and establish independent and effective ways to report and redress it.

The Commission and member states should ensure that workers from the EU and from third countries are recruited fairly by improving the reciprocal recognition of their qualifications and by closing the gaps in transnational social protection, urge MEPs. Rules on mobility should be properly monitored and enforced, and workers should be better informed of their rights.

A robust and future-proof European Care Strategy that targets and responds to the needs of people at critical periods throughout their life must include investment in high-quality public care for every child in the EU. Member states should provide continuous holistic and integrated support to parents, including maternity,…