IFSW Initiates Dialogue with the ILO on Decent Work, Care, and Working Conditions in Social Work
During the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) held a meeting with representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to explore potential areas of collaboration on issues of shared interest.
The meeting brought together Karina Mancini, IFSW Regional UN Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean and IFSW Representative to the ILO (middle person on the picture), with Laura Addati, Care Policy and Maternity Protection Specialist in the Conditions of Work and Equality Department of the ILO (right on the picture), and Maren Hopfe, Health Sector Specialist at the ILO (left on the picture), whose work focuses on employment and working conditions in the health and care workforce. The meeting was facilitated by Priska Fleischlin, IFSW Global UN Commissioner.
Participants exchanged perspectives on the working realities of social workers across different regions of the world and on the essential role the profession plays within social protection systems, social services, and care policies.
“A key topic of discussion was the need to strengthen knowledge and evidence regarding the employment and working conditions of social workers. We reflected on the challenges posed by the limited availability of profession-specific data, as social workers are often included within broader categories of social services or care workers, making it difficult to identify the specific realities and challenges faced by the profession.” Karina Mancini.
The meeting also addressed the psychosocial risks experienced by social workers in their daily practice. Particular attention was given to the continuous exposure to situations of social vulnerability, violence, crisis, human suffering, and high emotional demands, as well as the implications these factors have for workers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Participants further discussed challenges related to the representation of social workers within labour relations systems, including the impact of sector-based union structures and the implications this may have for participation in social dialogue and tripartite processes.
The meeting identified potential sources of information within the ILO, including international studies on employment in the care and social services sectors, and opened opportunities to further explore collaboration on decent work, occupational safety and health, mental health at work, and employment conditions within social services.
Following the meeting, this emerging area of work was shared at the IFSW Commissioners’ meeting on 12 June, where Evelyn P. Tomaszewski, MSW, ACSW, Regional Commissioner of the IFSW UN Commission for North America, and Annalisa Baruffi, IFSW Representative to the United Nations and focus on ILO,, expressed their interest in contributing to its further development. Their participation marks an initial step towards building an international and interregional team within IFSW to strengthen advocacy, cooperation, and knowledge development on working conditions in social work.
“This first exchange represents an important step in building stronger links between IFSW and the ILO and creates new opportunities to raise the visibility of the labour challenges faced by a profession that is essential to care systems, social protection, and community wellbeing worldwide.” Annalisa Baruffi.
To ensure the new project reflects the views of IFSW members, Global Commissioner Priska Fleischlin used the General Meeting in Nairobi to seek their feedback. Members expressed strong support for the UN Commission to continue its work on this topic. The UN Commission will keep the IFSW Board informed of further developments.
Warmest thanks to Karina to lead this process and to Evelyn and Annalisa to co-create this work.