Welfare Enterprises in Europe: The Case of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK

Weifare Enterprises are understood in this article to be non-profit private companies offering health and social security benefits. Not considered here are both the relevant public companies, such as health and welfare administrations and statutory social securities, or commercially private companies active in comparable fields. The term enterprises, is used deliberately to mean economic entities which are able to make independent decisions, allowed room for manoeuvre and are capable of raising capital at least partially in the market. In contrast, for example, to public service authorities, such businesses strive to offset their claims payments against sales. Welfare Enterprises are not principally profit-earning-oriented businesses in the interests of the proprietors, managers and employers, rather they are businesses with the objective of preferentially satisfying the needs of a third party. Welfare Enterprises discussed here include hospitals, rehabilitation centres, old people’s homes, nursing homes, kindergartens, remand homes, welfare centres and Workshops for the disabled. In view of the aging of the population, the demand for such benefits will increase; conversely there will be a potential for new job vacancies and occupations.