PERHOUSE Project publish key resources on industrial relations and working conditions of PHS in Central and Eastern Europe
Across Europe societal and demographic changes, as well as the growing recognition of the human right to live independently within one's community is increasing the demand for Personal and Household Services (PHS). As defined by the European Commission PHS include a broad range of activities that contribute to wellbeing at home of families and individuals. These services include childcare, long-term care for the elderly and for persons with disabilities, cleaning, remedial classes, home repairs, gardening and ICT support.
PHS play a vital role in supporting the independence of those wishing to live in their own home however the sector is largely underdeveloped across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The COVID19 pandemic and the war on Ukraine has provoked a further shift in many Central and European with them now receiving workers looking for employment in the PHS sector rather ‘sending’ workers to other countries. These changing demographics have further impacted industrial relations and working conditions in the region.
Funded by the European Union, the PERHOUSE project was launched in 2022 with the aim to improve working conditions and this the quality of PHS through industrial relations in CEE countries. By targeting domestic workers, social partners and service receivers, the project has provided greater analysis of industrial relations the challenges of the sector in 12 CEE countries and recommendations to strengthen EU-level social and national dialogue in the sector.
As the project draws to an end it has published a number of key resources on service provision of PHS in CEE including:
National reports for six Central and Eastern European countries
These reportsprovide information of the main characteristics and challenges of the PHS sector in their respective countries. The reports also provide policy recommendations to improve working conditions and social dialogue in the country.
Read the full reports here:
Comparative report on industrial relations across the 12 CEE countries
The report addresses the similarities and differences ofthe social dialogue of the sector across 12 CEE countries: Poland, Estonia, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia and Bulgaria. The report also identifies common challenges including the underfunding of the sector, high levels of undeclared work, low wages and low investment for public services.
Informative videos:
The key messages of the reports have been summarised in a number of videos avalible here:
PERHOUSE Social Dialogue in PHS in Central and Eastern European Countries – Comparative video
PERHOUSE North Macedonia Video
Final Conference
The materials of the PERHOUSE proejct were presented during the project's final conference $. Hosted online speakers and participations shared their different PHS of using and working in PHS and identified what is needed to improve working conditions and industrial relations in the sector.
Watch the final conference here.
To find all of the PERHOUSE resources, click here.