The European Parliament has called on the Commission to table a draft law that would guarantee an “adequate” minimum income in all Member States. “For the first time, parliament is asking for an enforceable law for a strong living wage above the poverty line”, Sara Matthieu (Green) greets the vote.
MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday supported a resolution by 336 to 174 (121 abstentions) in Strasbourg calling on the Commission to work on a minimum income directive. Such a European law must ensure that all member states provide an “adequate” minimum income in the long term.
“We can only enforce a decent living wage through legislation. Research by social scientists shows that this can be a real lever for people who end up in poverty today,” says Matthieu. “That gives people the opportunity to pay their rent and energy bills, buy healthy food and look for a job.”
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Research shows that the minimum income also offers insufficient security for a dignified existence in our country
All member states have a benefit system or social safety net for people without income. These systems differ greatly from country to country, but according to Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit), they have one thing in common: the size does not come close to the poverty line, which is 60 percent of the median income.
“Today there is only one Member State where the minimum income comes close to this threshold, namely Ireland. In all other countries it remains far below that predetermined level. Research shows that the minimum income in our country also offers insufficient security for a dignified existence says Van Brempt.
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The European Treaty was not written to allow intervention in the social policies of the Member States
Competent European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, however, left the advocates in the hemisphere little hope. “Unfortunately, the European treaty does not offer much scope in this area. The treaty was not written to allow intervention in the social policies of the member states,” the Luxembourg social democrat said in a debate on Tuesday.
At the request of Schmit, the member states did approve recommendations in January in which they intend to raise minimum incomes. “At the moment, the choice between a directive and a recommendation is not the most important thing. What is important is the political will at European and national level to move forward,” said the Commissioner.
In 2021, 95.4 million Europeans were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, more than 20 percent of the total population.
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