Employment situation and deficit of female SAAD workers, diagnosis and work and life itineraries

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We are collaborating with the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 to support the incorporation of professionals into the System for Autonomy and Dependency Care (SAAD) and accelerate the shift to a new model of long-term care. In this framework, we present the report “The care workers of the Dependency System”, an evidence-based X-ray that analyzes the employment situation of these professionals and the structural challenges they face. This group, which is key to social welfare, is often invisible, although its work has a direct impact on the quality of care for people in situations of dependency. The study combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies to provide a rigorous analysis, developed in collaboration with 40dB and SIIs.

Here are some of the issues discussed in the report:

  • High demand and low quality of work: The SAAD employs more than 600,000 people, but faces difficulties in attracting employment due to poor working conditions and the lack of recognition of care work.
  • Uneven coverage and profile of women workers: employment is growing unevenly by territory. More than 85% are women, many over 45 and one in four is a foreigner.
  • Widespread precariousness: high rates of temporary employment, involuntary partiality and low salaries (about €10,000 less than the national average) favor multi-employment.
  • Occupational health issues: female workers suffer more physical and mental illnesses than the average, with high rates of absenteeism and accidents at work, especially in homes.
  • Escape to the healthcare sector: many professionals migrate to healthcare in search of better conditions, with wage increases of up to 2,500€ per year.
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