Why are we supporting Wirtschaft ist Care?
Paid and unpaid care work are in a crisis; which is rapidly exacerbated by social and gender inequality. This can be seen in the precarious working conditions and staff shortages in the paid care sector, as well as the double burden of unpaid care work and paid employment, which is pushing many people, especially women, to their limits. Nevertheless, the care crisis is still only marginally recognized by the public. Even after the coronavirus pandemic, no political consequences were drawn. There is still a lack of social and economic understanding of the importance of care work. Socio-ecological change requires a social, economic and political reassessment of care work.
What is the aim?
Wirtschaft ist Care e.V. aims at strengthening the existential importance of care work and its visibility in society and the economy. We see ourselves as one of many initiatives that are committed to this cause. Through cooperation and exchange with the diverse approaches and initiatives in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), we want to form a common voice for our concerns. We want to advocate for the recognition of paid and unpaid care work in public, politics and business and work together with other actors, for example from the climate movement, for a socio-ecological transformation.
How does it work?
The publication of an anthology, in which many important initiatives from the care sector in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are represented, shows the diversity of the movement. The different approaches and strategies are also clearly presented in a book. A website enriches the book digitally and offers the opportunity to add further and future initiatives. This closes a previous gap. In a conference with the contributors, we would like to share our knowledge and discuss possible joint political strategies.