European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)

1. Presentation:FERPA - 28 October 2008 EPSUQuality health and social services Prevention of abuse and violence against dependents

2. European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) • EPSU represents 8 million workers • Member of the ETUC • Cooperation with PSI-Global Federation • 210+ trade unions • All EU-EEA (candidate) member states • Local/regional government, central government, health and social services, utilities (electricity and gas, water, waste) • Public, private and non-profit

3. EPSU AIMS EPSU • Promotes equal rights and opportunities • Promotes solidarity and understanding • Promotes common interests in European economic and social policies • Strengthen industrial relations systems in EU • Deal with all aspects concerning those employed in our sectors

4. Public sector issues in the EU • Internal Market/competition principles vs. subsidiarity; services directive • European Social Model • (Gender) Equality • Collective Bargaining & Working Conditions • Trade union rights (Laval, Viking… EPSU project on TU rights) • Health & Safety

5. EPSU Campaign: Quality public services- quality of Life • How the EU should provide the Member States with a proper framework to guarantee high quality and universal provision of public services • Based on public services principles such as accessibility, availability, continuity, democratic control, solidarity and affordability • ETUC petition • Joint declaration signed by 10 Mayors of capital cities • 2009 Elections to the European Parliament

6. Violence against older and elderly people • Still a controversial topic, also among care workers • Not much data and statistics available • Lacks in many countries clear legal and policy framework • Different definitions used • Often not intentional, but caused by carers who are overburdened, overstressed and/or insufficiently informed/trained • Environment factors need to be taken in account-institutional settings- care systems

7. Situations in which health and social workers encounter violence • As victims (violence perpetrated by colleagues, by patients/users, by relatives) • As observers • As perpetrators

8. Types of violence • Disrespect, patronizing behaviour • Neglect-Insufficient care • Poor living conditions • Abuse of dependent’s property • Physical/psychological/sexual abuse

9. Perpetrators of violence • Family members (spouses/partners, children, other relatives) • Friends and Neighbours • Professional criminals • Volunteers • Professionals (care-assistants, nurses, doctors) • Institutions (policy makers, politicians, managers)

10. Risk Factors • Insufficient care infrastructures • Lack of supervision and support for carers and care-workers • Recruitment of staff – better definition of competences • Lack of recognition for care work (by family carers, volunteers and professionals) • Lack of training, knowledge and experience – specific training required for elderly patients: e.g. Alzheimer patients • Heavy Workloads – many patients to care for • Working conditions for care workers

11. What needs to developed • Information and awareness raising –possibilities for public and professionals to report abuse • More research concerning the prevalence and causes of abuse • Affirmation of Public responsibilities • Adequate funding and investment in care systems and infrastructures • High quality standards – increasing the availability of care – inspection and monitoring of application • Patient-users involvement – developing patients’ rights • Support infrastructures for victims of abuse

12. EPSU Focus • Defining public responsibilities in relation to elderly/dependents’ care • Quality and general interest Principles • Lobby with EU-institutions for • Developing Quality framework for care • Training and skills needs – recruitment of staff • Recognition of care workers • Prevention of low-wage and precarious workers in sector • Combat gender stereotyping • Better reconciliation of work, private and family life (informal carers also have private needs).