International Day of Care and Support: Shedding Light on the Growing Care Economy

Unpaid and paid care work are crucial areas in the future of decent work. Growing populations, ageing societies, changing families, women’s secondary status in labor markets and shortcomings in social policies demand urgent action on the organization of care work from governments, employers, trade unions, and individual citizens. If the issue is left unattended to, deficits in care service provision and its quality will create a severe and unsustainable global care crisis and increase gender inequalities at work.  

The United Nations outlines two overlapping activities involved in care work: direct (such as feeding a baby) and indirect care activities (such as cooking and cleaning). It is also divided into two categories: paid or unpaid. Both are considered work and are thus a critical dimension of the world of work. These roles range from nurses in hospitals to caregivers in private homes: all essential, nonetheless.  

The care economy is growing as the demand for childcare and care for the elderly is increasing in all regions. Thus, it will create a great number of jobs in the coming years. Care work across the world remains characterized by a lack of benefits and protections, however, low wages or non-compensation, and exposure to several kinds of harm. It is clear that new solutions must be implemented: about the nature and provision of care policies and services, and the terms and conditions of care work.  

With the global demand for domestic workers predicted to grow, the International Labour Organization steps up to the plate, ensuring they have access to decent work.  

Keeping in mind the principles of investing in the care economy through gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and age-sensitive support systems, the General Assembly has proclaimed 29 October as International Day of Care and Support.  

The Assembly also stressed the need to recognize care workers as essential workers and the need to adopt measures to combat stereotypes related to care support. With this, they noted the urgency of creating quality jobs in the care economy and increasing the rewards and representation for care workers (particularly in domestic settings). They also recognized the need to realize women’s right to work and rights at work for those with care responsibilities, including equal pay.  

The United Nations invites stakeholders to observe the International Day of Care and Support annually to raise awareness of the key contributions made by the care community. Through this, we can bring the world one step closer to investing in a resilient and inclusive care economy capable of developing strong, resilient support systems.  

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