Although some regions have made advances in public-sector care, most collective bargaining coverage remains limited, with almost no sectoral agreements covering workers in long-term care (LTC) and early childhood education and care (ECEC). For care workers in CEE, these gaps in collective bargaining coverage can lead to stressful and unsustainable work environments, high turnover, and workforce shortages.

Key findings:

• Low collective bargaining coverage: CEE countries report extremely low collective bargaining coverage in both public and private care sectors, leaving workers with limited protections and little opportunity to negotiate wages and working conditions.

• Impact of the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive: The report stresses that the EU’s Adequate Minimum Wage Directive presents a unique opportunity to address collective bargaining deficiencies across the region. The directive calls for 80% collective bargaining coverage across the EU - a substantial target for many CEE countries, which will require new frameworks and dedicated support to achieve this.

• Challenges in workforce retention: With low pay and high demands, CEE’s care sector is struggling to attract and retain qualified workers. The report underlines how fair wages, better working conditions, and the establishment of sectoral agreements could help secure a sustainable workforce to meet the region’s increasing care needs, especially given an ageing population.

The report also outlines how digitalisation and the growing demand for care services, driven by ageing populations, require a more robust approach to workforce management and negotiation. Collective bargaining is not only about ensuring fair pay but also about creating a sustainable future for care workers in CEE countries, particularly as the need for high-quality care increases.