EU social partners: Partners call for improved childcare provision

In July 2008, EU-level trade union and employers’ organisations sent a joint letter to the European Commission, calling for renewed efforts to provide more and better childcare in order to promote work-life balance and increase labour market participation.

Following consultations by the European Commission in 2006-07, the EU-level social partners - the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), BusinessEurope (private sector employers), Ueapme (small and medium-sized firms) and Ceep (public sector employers) - have been undertaking joint work on the reconciliation of professional, private and family life.