International Day for Care and Support: Care is a human right – International Trade Union Confederation

Report on the International Day for Care and Support: A Call for Action on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning the Care Agenda with Global Goals

On the occasion of the International Day for Care and Support on 29 October, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has issued a call for governments to translate international commitments into tangible actions. The central argument is the recognition of care as a fundamental human right and a critical component of decent work, directly contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Key International Developments and their SDG Implications

Judicial and Policy Frameworks

Two recent global milestones have provided a robust framework for advancing the care agenda:

1. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ Advisory Opinion: In June, the Court affirmed that care is an autonomous human right. This legal precedent strengthens the case for state obligations to provide care, with a focus on non-discrimination and the protection of vulnerable groups, thereby advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5.
2. The ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy: Adopted in June 2024, this resolution, along with its subsequent plan of action for 2024-2030, establishes a clear policy roadmap. It explicitly links decent work, gender equality, and quality care to sustainable development, reinforcing the principles of SDG 8 and SDG 5.

The Care Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development

Current Deficits in the Care Sector

Despite its societal value, the care sector faces significant challenges that impede progress on the SDGs:

• Gender Inequality: Care work, both paid and unpaid, remains undervalued and is disproportionately performed by women, which is a direct barrier to achieving SDG 5.
• Precarious Labour Conditions: Millions of care workers experience poverty wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of social protection, undermining SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8.
• Inadequate Public Services: A lack of public investment in care infrastructure denies essential services to millions (impacting SDG 3) and forces many women out of the labour market, hindering both economic growth and gender equality (SDG 8 and SDG 5).

ITUC Policy Recommendations for SDG-Aligned Action

The ITUC urges governments to implement policies that integrate the care economy into national development strategies:

1. Recognise Care as a Public Good: Guarantee universal access to quality care and support services, in line with the ILO Resolution, to meet the targets of SDG 3 and SDG 10.
2. Increase Public Investment: Allocate adequate public funds to care services as a driver for job creation (SDG 8) and a primary tool for advancing gender equality (SDG 5).
3. Ensure Decent Work: Adopt comprehensive care leave policies and ensure fair wages and decent working conditions for all care workers, contributing directly to SDG 8.

Trade Union Leadership and Future Initiatives

Advancing the Care Agenda Through Collective Action

The ITUC is set to release a new report, “Trade Unions Advancing the Care Agenda,” on 29 October. The report will feature case studies from Australia, Chile, and the Philippines, demonstrating how trade unions are effectively:

• Bargaining for improved wages and conditions in care sectors.
• Advocating for increased public investment in care infrastructure.
• Integrating care into national social and economic policy agendas.

These actions illustrate a practical, ground-up approach to achieving the SDGs. The report’s launch via a webinar will further explore strategies for advancing the care agenda at the national level. The overarching message is that investing in care is a strategic investment in human capital, community well-being, and a sustainable future, making it essential for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the International Day for Care and Support addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article strongly emphasizes this goal by highlighting that care work, both paid and unpaid, is “disproportionately carried out by women.” It states that the lack of public care infrastructure “forces many, particularly women, out of the labour market” and frames investing in care as a “foundation for gender equality.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: As the article is from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), this SDG is central. It calls for “decent work and fair wages for all care workers” and laments their current “poverty wages, poor working conditions, and lack of social protection.” The article also frames investment in care as an “engine of job creation.”
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The call to “guarantee universal access to quality care and support services” directly relates to this goal. The mention of “community health workers” further strengthens this connection, as they are a crucial part of health systems that ensure well-being for all.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article links the poor conditions in the care sector to poverty by stating that millions of care workers “continue to face poverty wages.” Improving their working conditions and wages is a direct action against poverty.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The analysis connects to this goal through its focus on protecting “vulnerable groups” and ensuring equality and non-discrimination. The mention of “migrant” care workers, who often face multiple layers of discrimination, underscores the importance of reducing inequalities.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s calls to action and problem descriptions, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.
   • The article directly addresses this by stating that care work is “undervalued, underfunded, and disproportionately carried out by women” and calls for “adequate investment in public care and support services” and the “adoption of care leave and protection policies.”
2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • This is reflected in the demand for “decent work and fair wages for all care workers,” tackling the issue of “poverty wages” in a female-dominated sector.
3. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
   • The article’s concern for care workers, including “domestic, migrant, and community health workers,” who face “poor working conditions, and lack of social protection,” aligns perfectly with this target.
4. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • The call to “guarantee universal access to quality care and support services” is a core component of this target, emphasizing the need for care systems that are accessible to everyone.
5. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • The article explicitly points out the “lack of social protection” for millions of care workers and calls for policies that rectify this, directly supporting the implementation of social protection systems.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.4: The article doesn’t provide statistics but implies the relevance of Indicator 5.4.1 (Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work). Progress could also be measured by tracking “adequate investment in public care and support services” and the number of countries with “care leave and protection policies,” as called for in the text.
• Implied Indicator for Target 8.5: The demand for “fair wages” points to the need to measure wage gaps, which is covered by Indicator 8.5.1 (Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities).
• Implied Indicator for Target 8.8: The mention of “poor working conditions” implies the need to track data related to Indicator 8.8.1 (Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex and migrant status) and Indicator 8.8.2 (Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation).
• Implied Indicator for Target 1.3: The call to address the “lack of social protection” for care workers directly relates to Indicator 1.3.1 (Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable).
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.8: The call for “universal access to quality care” implies measuring the coverage of services, which aligns with Indicator 3.8.1 (Coverage of essential health services).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ituc-csi.org