Developing collective bargaining in the care sector Caregivers’ positioning and perceptions

This report is the result of an in-depth examination of caregivers’ individual positions and perceptions with regard to job quality, working conditions and collective representation within the childcare and elderly care sectors in the Netherlands (ECEC and LTC sectors). Interviews gave a deeper and more detailed picture and point to extra issues and priorities that might be addressed by social partner organisations. More common than expected are the needs expressed for greater say and employee involvement at the workplace level. The lack of social recognition of care professionals seems to be an underlying factor of developments that have led to a more demanding work environment.