Global economies and societies are deeply dependent on care work, both paid and unpaid, for their functioning and progress. From meeting the physical, emotional and psychological needs of children and the elderly, to services such as health and education, care is essential at all stages of life.
This work is carried out in different settings: in homes, by state institutions, non-profit organizations and private companies. However, the way in which this care is provided and renumerated has a profound impact on gender equality and on social and economic development.
In recognition of its importance, the United Nations General Assembly has declared October 29 as the International Day of Care and Support. This date seeks to raise awareness on the central role care work plays in our societies, and to promote a necessary change in how it is organized and valued.
The care economy, which encompasses both paid and unpaid care work, has been highlighted as an urgent need during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis exposed the fragility of current care systems, revealing that people’s well-being and the functioning of economies depend to a large extent on the invisible work that sustains everyday life. The challenge we face today is clear: we must rethink the care economy and put people at the centre of policy and sustainable development.
Three major global trends affect the future of the care economy: aging populations, digitalization and climate change. These phenomena increase the demand for care services, while at the same time complicate their provision. A comprehensive approach is crucial, where there is co-responsibility between the state, civil society, the private sector and families. However, the state must assume primary responsibility through policies that foster an inclusive, equitable and accessible care ecosystem for all.
Today, 76 per cent of unpaid care work worldwide falls on women, an imbalance that perpetuates inequalities. In Latin America and the Caribbean, this type of work represents one third of female employment. In some sectors, such as domestic work, with 15 million domestic workers in the region, 76 per cent of them were in informal employment. Additionally, it is estimated that investment in universal child and long-term care services could generate up to 30 million jobs in our region by 2035.
In 2022, the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) took a significant step by promoting a general discussion on the care economy, which culminated in the adoption of a landmark resolution at the 112th International Labour Conference in June 2024. This international tripartite agreement reaffirms that, like any other form of work, work in the care economy is not a commodity and that all people should have access to care, including self-care, under decent working conditions for those who provide these services.
The ILO, with its historic leadership in promoting decent work, plays a key role in advancing the care economy. The ILO’s approach, based on the 5Rs – recognize, reduce, redistribute, reward and represent care work – is a clear roadmap for structural change. This framework promotes the creation of formal jobs, improved working conditions and adequate representation for workers in the sector, strengthening a system based on rights and respect for human dignity.
Investing in the care economy is a commitment to a more just, equal and sustainable future. The ILO, through its Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality places care at the heart of economic and social development. With its tripartite approach and the power of social dialogue, it will continue to lead this process towards a more equitable society, where everyone receives the care they need, and those who do care work do so under fair conditions.
The International Day of Care and Support reminds us that care work is not just a necessity; it is an act of justice. Promoting stronger and more inclusive care systems, policies and licensing is the foundation of a more equitable world, where collective well-being and decent work go hand in hand.
Written by: Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
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