zorgwerk

Zorgwerk is a term used in Dutch-speaking contexts to refer to professional activities centered on caring for others. The word combines zorg (care) with werk (work) and is applied to a broad set of occupations and tasks within the care economy, including nursing, home health care, early childhood education, disability services, and social work. It also covers informal caregiving by family members and volunteers who support dependent individuals and their households.

In practice, zorgwerk encompasses both paid employment and unpaid care duties. It is used in discussions about workforce planning, training, and standards in the care sector, as well as in assessments of working conditions, scheduling, and occupational safety. With aging populations and rising demand for long-term care, zorgwerk is often a focus of policy and reform efforts aimed at improving access to high-quality care.

Technological and organizational changes have broadened the meaning of zorgwerk to include platform-based or on-demand care activities, remote support, and coordinated care networks. This reflects shifts in how care is delivered, who provides it, and how caregivers are supported in terms of training, compensation, and career development.

Education and professionalization efforts for zorgwerk seek to standardize competencies, ethics, and safety across disciplines such as nursing, social work, and childcare. Governments, professional bodies, and employers use the concept to shape regulations, funding, and quality assurance in the care economy. Related terms include care work, caregiving, healthcare workforce, and social care.