The Global Care Investment and Accessibility Act

Legislative Proposal: The Global Care Investment and Accessibility Act

Preamble

WHEREAS, access to quality, affordable care services across the lifespan – from early childhood education and care to dignified support for the elderly and those with disabilities – is a fundamental human need and a cornerstone of human dignity and well-being;

RECOGNIZING that the current global deficit in quality, affordable care services places an unsustainable burden on families, particularly women who disproportionately bear unpaid care responsibilities, hindering their economic participation and perpetuating gender inequality;

ACKNOWLEDGING that inadequate care infrastructure leads to significant economic losses through reduced labor force participation, lower productivity, and increased healthcare costs, thereby impeding sustainable development and exacerbating social inequalities;

AFFIRMING that a robust, publicly supported care economy is not merely a social expenditure but a vital economic investment that creates jobs, stimulates local economies, and fosters a more inclusive and resilient society;

EMPHASIZING the World Parliament's commitment to social justice, gender equality, and the improvement of living standards for all working people, through the establishment of strong welfare states and robust social safety nets;

THEREFORE, the World Parliament hereby enacts the Global Care Investment and Accessibility Act.

Article 1: Declaration of Principles

1.1 Universal Right to Care: Every individual has a right to access high-quality, affordable care services, irrespective of their socio-economic status, geographical location, age, or ability. Care is a public good and a human right, not a commodity to be exclusively dictated by market forces.

1.2 Public Responsibility: Member states bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the provision and accessibility of universal, quality, and affordable care services, through public funding, regulation, and direct provision.

1.3 Economic and Social Investment: Investment in the care sector is recognized as a strategic economic and social investment that drives inclusive growth, enhances human capital, reduces poverty, and strengthens social cohesion.

1.4 Gender Equality and Equity: This Act explicitly aims to address and rectify the gendered nature of care work, promoting gender equality by valuing care work, professionalizing the care workforce, and enabling equal participation in both paid work and public life for all genders.

Article 2: Establishment of the Global Care Services Fund (GCSF)

2.1 Purpose: A dedicated Global Care Services Fund (GCSF) shall be established to provide financial and technical assistance to member states for the development, expansion, and enhancement of universal, high-quality, and affordable public care services.

2.2 Funding Mechanisms: The GCSF shall be financed through:
a. Mandatory Contributions: A progressive levy on member states' Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with higher-income nations contributing a greater percentage.
b. Corporate Social Responsibility Levy: A percentage of profits from multinational corporations operating within member states, specifically designated for social infrastructure investments.
c. Global Financial Transaction Tax Allocation: A designated percentage of revenues from any future global financial transaction tax, if implemented.
d. Voluntary Contributions: Encouragement of additional contributions from philanthropic organizations, private sector partners, and high-net-worth individuals committed to social development.

2.3 Governance: The GCSF shall be administered by a specialized agency accountable to the World Parliament, with oversight from a multi-stakeholder board comprising representatives from member governments, care worker unions, civil society organizations, and independent experts in care economics and social policy.

Article 3: National Care Service Development Mandate

3.1 Comprehensive National Plans: Each member state shall, within three (3) years of the enactment of this Act, develop and commence implementation of a comprehensive national strategy for the provision of universal, publicly provided or regulated, high-quality, and affordable care services.

3.2 Scope of Services: National plans must encompass, but not be limited to:
a. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC): Universal access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and affordable ECEC for all children from infancy to school entry age.
b. Elderly Care: Comprehensive, person-centered care for older persons, including home-based care, community support services, and regulated, dignified institutional care options.
c. Disability Support Services: Tailored support services to enable full participation, independent living, and inclusion for persons with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and respect for autonomy.
d. Mental Health Care: Integrated, accessible, and destigmatized mental health services within primary healthcare systems and specialized facilities.
e. Palliative Care: Accessible and compassionate palliative care services for individuals with serious illnesses and their families.

3.3 Affordability and Accessibility: National plans must guarantee that care services are either free at the point of use or heavily subsidized based on a progressive ability-to-pay scale, ensuring that no individual is denied access due to financial constraints. Services must be geographically accessible to all populations, including rural and remote communities.

3.4 Quality Standards: Adherence to globally recognized quality benchmarks and national regulatory frameworks, covering aspects such as staff-to-recipient ratios, qualifications of care professionals, safety protocols, infrastructure standards, and person-centered approaches to care. The GCSF shall provide technical assistance to support member states in developing and meeting these standards.

Article 4: Care Workforce Professionalization and Decent Work

4.1 Fair Wages and Benefits: Member states shall ensure that all care workers, both in public and private sectors, receive living wages, comprehensive social security benefits (including health insurance, pensions, and paid leave), and safe, decent working conditions, in line with international labor standards.

4.2 Training and Professional Development: Significant investment shall be made in robust, publicly funded training, certification, and continuous professional development programs for all care providers, ensuring a skilled, competent, and respected workforce.

4.3 Unionization and Collective Bargaining: The rights of care workers to organize, form unions, and engage in collective bargaining shall be explicitly protected and promoted, ensuring their voices are heard in policy-making and their working conditions are continually improved.

4.4 Gender Equity in Care Professions: Specific initiatives shall be implemented to address gender segregation within the care sector, promote equal opportunities for career advancement, and ensure equal pay for work of equal value, recognizing the vital contribution of women to the care economy.

Article 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability

5.1 Reporting Requirements: Member states receiving support from the GCSF shall submit annual progress reports to the World Parliament, detailing the implementation of their national care strategies, impact on beneficiaries, challenges encountered, and financial utilization.

5.2 Independent Oversight: The World Parliament shall establish an independent oversight body to monitor compliance with this Act, evaluate the effectiveness of national plans, and investigate grievances related to care service provision and worker rights.

5.3 Data Collection and Research: The World Parliament, through its relevant agencies, shall promote the collection of standardized, disaggregated data on care needs, provision, workforce demographics, and outcomes to inform evidence-based policy development and facilitate international comparisons and best practice sharing.

Article 6: International Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing

6.1 Best Practices Exchange: The World Parliament and the GCSF shall facilitate platforms for member states to share successful models, innovative approaches, and lessons learned in the development and delivery of universal care services.

6.2 Technical Assistance: The GCSF shall offer expert technical assistance, capacity building, and policy advice to member states, particularly developing nations, to support them in designing, funding, and implementing their national care strategies.

Article 7: Entry into Force

This Act shall enter into force upon its adoption by a two-thirds majority vote of the World Parliament and its subsequent ratification by a simple majority of member states.