On 4 November, European social partners in the hospital and healthcare sector celebrate 20 years of social dialogue, marking two decades of cooperation on some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from labour shortages and skills needs to digitalisation and the transformation of healthcare services.
The hospital and healthcare sector is one of Europe’s largest employers:
- providing jobs for around 13 million people
- including approximately 7 million hospital workers.
Against this backdrop, the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Hospitals and Healthcare has played an important role in helping employers and trade unions develop practical, joint responses to workforce and workplace issues.
Since its creation, the committee has produced 20 joint outcomes, reflecting sustained cooperation between EPSU, representing trade unions, and HOSPEEM, representing employers.
Among its key achievements: are
The anniversary also highlights the role of EU-funded projects in supporting social partner cooperation and concrete results, including the ongoing project “Tackling staff shortages and ensuring future-proof skills in health”.
Looking ahead, social partners have reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting a resilient healthcare workforce and high-quality healthcare services across Europe, in line with their Joint Work Programme.
