The European Federation of Family Employment and Home Care (EFFE) and the European Federation for Services to Individuals (EFSI) are proud to announce the launch of their PHS Employer’s Capacity Building Toolkit, developed within the framework of the EU-funded PHSDialogue Project. This strategic resource is designed to support Sectoral Employer Organisations (SEOs) and Business Member Organisations (BMOs) in the Personal and Household Services (PHS) sector across Europe by strengthening their capacity, representation, and long-term sustainability.
Supporting a Sector that Supports our Family and Home
The PHS sector provides a wide range of essential services that support households and communities. These services include both direct care activities, such as childcare, elderly care, and care for people with disabilities, and indirect services like cleaning, cooking, gardening, and home repairs. According to data collected by EFFE and EFSI, the majority of PHS activities are caring for the elderly, caring for people with disabilities, childcare, cleaning, and ironing. However, services are often provided in informal or complex employment arrangements.
PHS may be delivered by direct employment (user-employers hiring workers), indirect employment (via service providers), or alternative models including self-employment, temporary work, or platform-based arrangements. Despite these differences, all employers in the sector face similar challenges, particularly due to the private household being the main workplace, which creates unique complexities in employment regulation, quality assurance, and social dialogue.
The Need for Stronger Employer Organisations
The PHSDialogue Project lays the foundation for an EU Sectoral Social Dialogue in PHS sector and aims to boost the collective bargaining and institutional capacity of employer organisations and trade unions. Work Package 4 of the project specifically focuses on identifying effective strategies to reinforce employer capacity at both the national and EU levels.
In this context, EFFE and EFSI have developed the PHS Employer’s Capacity Building Toolkit, drawing directly on the experience and needs of their members. The toolkit is a practical guide to help Sectoral Employer’s Organisations (SEOs), and Business Member’s Organisations (BMOs) navigate the evolving policy landscape and labour market, actively participate in social dialogue, and ensure efficient and equitable employment relationships in the sector.
Toolkit Overview: Practical Guidance for Real Impact
The toolkit is structured into four key sections:
The toolkit also presents examples of good practices from across Europe, showing that tailored strategies can lead to meaningful, sustainable outcomes even in highly diverse national settings.
Empowering a Sustainable, Professional PHS Sector
The goal of the toolkit is not only to strengthen organisations but to foster the development of professional PHS sector as a whole. Whether a long-established SEO or an emerging BMO, organisations will find in the toolkit a valuable resource to:
A Step Forward for PHS Employers Across Europe
By reinforcing the capacity of employer organisations, the PHS Employer’s Capacity Building Toolkit contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and recognised PHS sector. It aligns with the broader ambition of EFFE and EFSI to professionalise the sector, ensure decent working conditions, and deliver high-quality services to Europe’s households.
We invite all social partners, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the toolkit and join us in strengthening the foundation for a sustainable PHS sector.