Care Work

WHEN A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVED and submitted to Parliament a bill on family caregivers, many spoke of a "historic turning point." Indeed, after at least a decade of attempts, delays, and failed bills, it is the first time an executive has brought to Parliament a comprehensive proposal to recognize and support those who care for a dependent family member. A multitude of people: according to the most reliable estimates, caregivers number over 7 million who, to varying degrees, dedicate time and effort to caring for family members, amidst countless hardships and difficulties. This commitment is not a private matter, but a social good of capital importance.

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE MEASURE, WHICH NOW GOES TO PARLIAMENT FOR CONSIDERATION, became the subject of heated debate. On the one hand, some applaud the progress; on the other, others emphasize that the regulations do not truly address the many existing needs, or still do so insufficiently. For the first time, the text recognizes the existence and social value of the care work performed by those who care for their loved ones: a long-awaited cultural leap, which ties in well with another key principle: that the care recipient's life plan is central to everything. It is the caregiver who selects and chooses their trusted caregiver.

CAREGIVERS, WHO ARE CLASSIFIED IN DIFFERENT PROFILES depending on the hours of care provided and whether they live with the person being cared for, are recognized with a series of concrete supports. The first is flexible working arrangements (smart working, reversible part-time work), allowing them not to completely give up their professional life. Parents of children with disabilities will be able to take parental leave until their children reach adulthood, and all caregivers will see the wealth of knowledge acquired through caregiving recognized with training credits on their CVs. This is especially important for younger caregivers.

THE DIFFICULTY AFFECTS THE DIRECT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION (maximum €400 per month), which is available only to a limited number of caregivers, namely those who live with their care recipient, providing more than 91 hours of care per week, with virtually no work (income limit of €3,000 per year) and with an ISEE (Income and Social Security number) of less than €15,000. These are very restrictive criteria, evidently due to the scarcity of available resources (just over €250 million per year has been allocated). A second major critical issue is the lack of social security protections: care work is valuable, but without a form of guaranteed contribution, those who perform it fail to earn a pension and thus face a difficult future. The bill, at least so far, does not address this issue.

IT IS NOW PARLIAMENT'S TURN TO REFINE and approve the law. This is an important task because the issue of fragility and family relationships is a crucially important topic, at the intersection of work, rights, loneliness, illness, and community.


NP March 2026
Stefano Caredda