A global movement is growing to recognise care as a human right - and workers are at its heart. In August, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights affirmed that care is a stand-alone human right and that States must take concrete measures to improve conditions for workers with family responsibilities. Crucially, the Court reaffirmed that freedom of association and collective bargaining are essential to achieving equality in care and work.

This victory comes as PSI and unions worldwide step up the campaign for the ratification and full implementation of ILO Convention 156 on Workers with Family Responsibilities as part of PSI's global campaign to rebuild the social organisation of care.

Colombia, Namibia, and the Dominican Republic are the latest countries to ratify the Convention, bringing the total to 49 ratifications globally. The political momentum is clear - let's sustain it and place care and equality firmly on the global labour agenda. In 2026, we will focus our efforts, among others, on Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Barbados, and the Philippines.

This is an opportunity to advance recognition of the right to care, strengthen care rights at work, and build strong, publicly run care systems that serve everyone. It's our time to say it out loud: Let's make care public!

Let's make care public!

Convention No. 156 encourages governments, in line with national conditions and resources, to develop childcare and family services that redistribute care work and enable workers to exercise their human right to care. Ratifying and implementing this Convention is key to ensuring States fulfill their responsibilities in guaranteeing the full enjoyment of the human right to care and ensuring employers provide supportive facilities such as childcare services, nursing rooms, and flexible work arrangements - making care a right at work.

Seizing the Moment

In 2026, the ILO will hold key discussions on paternity, parental protection, and care leave, followed by a General Discussion on Gender Equality at Work at the International Labour Conference. These are vital opportunities for unions to amplify workers' voices and center care and equality in global labour standards. Complete the union survey for PSI affiliates - by 19 December - as a first step in shaping a joint political strategy for these critical discussions.

In addition, the ILO Committee of Experts (CEACR) will review how Convention 156 is being implemented in several countries - offering a strategic opportunity for trade unions to take the lead. Engage directly with governments on the CEACR's findings. Use these observations as tools to demand policy change, legal reform, and accountability on workers' care rights.

Additionally, several countries will submit their reports on the implementation of ILO Convention 156 to the ILO Committee of Experts (CEACR). Governments are required to consult trade unions in preparing these reports - and unions also have the right to submit their own independent observations directly to the CEACR.

This is a key opportunity for unions to make workers' voices heard, influence national reporting, and ensure that governments are held accountable for real progress on care and equality at work.

Why C156 Matters for All Workers - and for Public Services Unions

ILO Convention 156 defends the right to care. It protects all workers - in every sector and form of employment - by ensuring that care responsibilities are not a barrier to decent work, equal treatment, or career opportunities.

For public services unions, C156 is an opportunity to call on governments to build strong and public care services. This strengthens the role of the State, supports fair working conditions for care workers, and helps redistribute unpaid care work across society.

Women continue to bear the majority of unpaid care work and often face workplace penalties for fulfilling caregiving responsibilities - a reflection of an unjust social organisation of care. The absence of flexible working policies frequently forces women caring for children, elderly relatives, or other dependents to reduce their working hours or leave employment entirely.

Ratification of ILO Convention 156 on Workers with Family Responsibilities is key to ensuring that all workers have the right to combine work and family life without discrimination. It provides a legal foundation for flexible working arrangements, protection from penalties, and the right to access care services at the workplace. Care rights at work must be extended to all workers and should include employer-provided care services as well as robust public care systems. Such measures are essential to redistribute care responsibilities more equitably from families to the State.

“Ratifying  and implementing ILO Convention 156 is essential to ensure that all workers — especially women — can balance work and family life without discrimination. It is an opportunity to strengthen public care systems, and empowers unions to fight for equality, dignity, and decent work for allBritta Lejon – PSI President, ST, Sweden

“Recognising care as a human right is progress that must reach every worker and every community worldwide. PSI and its affiliated unions will keep fighting for it — and C156 is one vital step on that path" Daniel Bertossa, PSI General Secretary

Take Action

→ Help shape our collective voice in the ILO 2026 discussions on gender equality. Complete the union survey for PSI affiliates - by 19 December. It represents an important first step in shaping a joint political strategy for these critical upcoming discussions.

→ Provide testimonies: Share this link with your members and workers with family responsibilities in all sectors who would be willing to provide testimonies that highlight how care responsibilities affect workers' lives and how the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 156 could help improve working conditions and promote equality.

→ Call on your government to ratify C156. Download and adapt the model letter.

→ Meet with your government if your country is on the list for review of C156 implementation to influence national reporting.

"The Inter-American Court’s decision recognising care as a human right gives us hope — and responsibility.  It is a milestone for the entire world. Ratifying ILO Convention 156 could turn that right into reality for millions of workers. Let’s call on our governments to guarantee public childcare and adult social care,  family leave, and flexible work — so women like me don’t have to choose between caring for our families and keeping our jobs  Gloria Mills  – PSI WOC Chair, UNISON, UK

"The recognition of care as a human right is a breakthrough for equality. ILO Convention 156 gives that principle power — it makes governments and employers responsible for supporting workers with family responsibilities. For unions, it’s a call to action: to make care a right at work and to build strong public care systems that serve everyone”.  Annie Geron - PSI WOC Vice-Chair Asia Pacific, PSLINK, Philippines

"C156 is about justice for workers — especially women — who carry the double burden of paid and unpaid care. Ratifying this Convention means creating workplaces with childcare, flexible arrangements, and dignity for every worker.  It’s a right, and it’s the foundation of equality and strong public services.  Wegdanhussein AbdRabuh - PSI WOC Vice-Chair African & Arab countries, BASU, Egypt

"When the Inter-American Court affirmed that care is an autonomous human right, it spoke a truth that all workers already know: we all depend on and need care as a public good with universal access. Ratifying and implementing ILO Convention 156 would help make that right a reality and help ensure fair and inclusive policies, public care services and workplaces that respect both our work and our families. Margarita Lopez - vicepresidente del WOC de la ISP para Inter-America, SINTRACUAVALLE, Colombia

"Ratifying Convention 156 is not a symbolic gesture. It is a recognition that the work of caring also helps to build a nation. It is an affirmation that behind every hospital, every school, every nursery, there are lives that deserve rest, time, and dignity. Nayeli Fernández Bobadillia, SNTSS, México