One of the essential stages in the process of recognition of the home employment sector between citizens in Europe is the demonstration, in relation to the European institutions and decision-makers, of its economic weight, its social and societal stakes, its prospects in terms of employment in particular for less-integrated workers, its role for reinforcing a social Europe, along with its contribution to local development and the creation of local solidarity on the territories. It is also a question of being able to assess and qualify the problems with which the sector is faced (simplification, professionalization and financial viability). This demonstration requires having precise and sufficiently coordinated data, which is not currently the case.
- Include the concept of “domestic worker” in the statistical classifications and reorient these on the basis of the workers’ jobs and not only on the basis of the economic activity as is currently the case. One of the reasons for the lack of consideration of the sector is a clear statistical difference whether on a European level or a national level of different Member States.
- Create an ad hoc working group in partnership with the national statistics organisations and Eurostat to revise and correct current errors.
- Create a European observatory of home employment sector to gather reliable data, specific to the sector, that would complete data established by agencies such as Eurostat and Eurofound, share and provide detailed information on the sector of home employment and on related mechanisms. The aim would also be to assess the impact of the public policies drawn up by the Member States to ensure economic viability of the demand for household services, simplify the formalities for declaring an employee and professionalise household jobs.
