On 7 November 2025, the PHS Social Partners gathered expert from across the board to launch the ScaleUp Advisory Board. Chaired by former European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, the Board is designed to further support the work done through the EU co-funded project and to improve the PHS Employment Monitor. 

Commissioner Schmit welcomed the participants and highlighted what an honour it is to be chaired of the ScaleUp Advisory Board. During his address, he reminded the audience of the crucial opportunity that is the Personal and Household Services (PHS) sector, but also about all the key challenges and difficulties it faces. From the lack of recognition to the wide spread of undeclared work, the PHS sector is often pointed for the harsh working conditions. Shaken by many crises over the years (and most specifically in recent years), the sector had been highlighted as essential when it was most needed, but was invisibilised again when the world went back to normal.  

“We were applauding essential workers, now is the time to transform this in concrete actions.” – Nicolas Schmit 

The PHS Social Partners – EFFAT, EFFE, EFSI, Uni Europa – presented the key findings of the first edition of the PHS Employment Monitor, highlighting the number of responses obtained (6523 vs an initial goal of 1500), countries reached (27) and languages used (14). The main findings of the Monitor showcased the clear lack of standardisation and the fragmented career path, but also the labour shortages and turnover. On both sides, the turnover is an issue: on the provider organisation side, 65% said that this is a big problem; on the worker side, 57% said they do not think their job is sustainable until retirement. This also highlights the problematic working conditions in the sector. 

Following this presentation, the PHS Social Partners presented the work they did on the upcoming edition of the Monitor. From the additional languages selected to ensure a better reach across the globe to a better dissemination strategy, the goal is to go further and deeper to touch more people. A Country Ambassador Programme will be built to support the dissemination in specific countries and towards hard-to-reach populations. 

The members of the Advisory Board then had the opportunity to highlight key points and suggestions on the survey’s questions, notably about undeclared work, commute time, platform work, clearly mentioning the anonymisation of the questions, etc. 

This meeting was just the first step of the collaboration with the experts from the ScaleUp Advisory Board. The survey’s questions are in the process to be finalised, and the Monitor will be open to answer beginning of 2026, with the idea to release the results by mid-2026. 

On behalf of the EU PHS Social Partners, EFSI would like to sincerely thanks all the experts who agreed to join the Advisory Board: Nicolas Schmit, Smaro Maniatis, Nathalie van der Wine, Raul Chawla, Simona Brunnovera, Leila Hicheur, Serge da Mariana, Michael Harty, Andere Goirigolzarri, Sara Buesa, Marek Benio, Marcin Kielbasa, Jorge Cabrita, Claire Hobden, Katja Groetzner, Fanny Faugeron, Bernadett Peto, Iveta Zdilova, Peter Hammer, Glenda Quintini.