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Published on: 17/11/2023Updated on: 17/11/2023
By celebrating its 10th anniversary in Brussels, the European Federation for Family Employment and Home Care (EFFE) brought together European stakeholders from the PHS (Personal and Household Services) sector to measure progress already achieved and improvements still needed. IPERIA contributes to this progress as a co-founding member of the federation and a major player in professionalization beyond French borders. After 10 years of commitment and structuring, what assessment can we make of EFFE's action? What are the prospects for the future? Several roundtables allowed speakers across the European Union to exchange views on fundamental issues.
A Lasting and Fruitful Commitment
What progress has EFFE made in the past ten years toward recognition of the PHS (Personal and Household Services) sector, including domestic work! Marie-Béatrice Levaux, President of the federation, recalled: "Our objectives in 2013 were to simplify, make financially sustainable, and professionalize. These pillars that form EFFE's foundation are progressing, and the home is becoming a public policy actor. We continue our objectives of meaning and utility". Alongside her, Karmele Acedo, vice-president of the federation, welcomed the European consensus making visible and valuing professions that are sometimes still marked by many prejudices: "I notice that we are all aligned regarding both the diagnosis and the actions."
The assessment at the European Union level primarily involves addressing multiple challenges: population aging, the challenge of early childhood care, and the question of work-life balance. It also includes the observation of labor shortages and a lack of recognition.
These shared observations echo the French situation. Convinced that collective progress in Europe will impact the national level and vice versa, IPERIA's teams showed their commitment by participating in this event, mobilized to highlight and gain recognition for a model that is essential beyond our borders.
Many stakeholders joined us from Italy, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, Latvia, and Hungary. Their expertise and convictions led to valuable discussions.
Common Challenges for All EFFE Stakeholders
It was one of the day's highlights - the screening of testimonials from those who bring the sector to life across Europe, "the human faces of employers and domestic workers," as emphasized by Tamsin Rose, master of ceremonies. All wished to deliver the same message: obtaining visibility, work value recognition, professionalization support. Their faces embodied the urgency to "help households, families, and workers find sustainable solutions," according to Aude Boisseuil, General Delegate of EFFE.
To meet these expectations, the first focus during the conference was the desire to negotiate a collective agreement at the European level to ensure everyone is aware of their rights and duties. The observation is clear: negotiation with public authorities will be compromised without organized social dialogue.
Another necessity presented is further reducing undeclared work. EFFE has always aimed to be representative and to guarantee rights for all employees in Europe, and this requires simplifying the administrative process for the benefit of families and declared employment, as well as a commitment to financial sustainability.
The migration question, unavoidable at the European level, was also extensively discussed during the conference. The encounter between an aging continent and populations seeking stability and recognition must continue to be addressed through initiatives. As for the attractiveness of domestic work professions, it was also among the major topics of these discussions. However, the focus that was undoubtedly the most unifying throughout the day was professionalization.
Professionalization at the Heart of European Ambitions
Baptiste Lenfant, General Delegate of the Domicile & Compétences group, moderated the day's third roundtable dedicated to this crucial subject. "Skills respond to life needs and ensure quality support for assisted persons and home-based activity. He specified during his speech that professionalization is a structuring element, an essential element of attractiveness for this sector" he specified during his speech. Informal learning and recognition of all skills and potential were at the heart of discussions. And because this day was focused on sharing experiences, Baptiste Lenfant highlighted France's example, restating that "IPERIA is the French professionalization platform for the domestic work sector. It has led and participated in no less than nine projects bringing together 13 different partner countries".Driven by the dynamism and commitment of our European neighbors, we will continue to promote the importance of professionalization within the Federation, as we have since 2009 through our innovative and experimental programs.
