Care workers across Europe face exodus over pay and safety crises

The report paints a grim picture of domestic support roles, where musculoskeletal injuries remain rampant: six out of every 10 employees suffer from chronic conditions like tendon inflammation or persistent back pain. Beyond physical strain, the workplace environment is increasingly hostile. One in four respondents reported direct exposure to verbal abuse, while 15 percent disclosed experiences involving physical violence or sexual harassment.

This volatility is compounded by severe mental health degradation, with 60 percent of staff reporting chronic sleep disturbances. Despite these conditions, UNI Europa regional secretary Oliver Roethig emphasized that these employees provide the backbone of support for ageing societies. Without meaningful intervention, the current burnout rate threatens to destabilize the care infrastructure relied upon by families and vulnerable populations throughout the continent.