On Thursday 28 September, the European Parliament’s employment and social affairs committee adopted by a large majority (36 votes for, 7 against, 4 abstentions) an own initiative report, in which a request is made for a minimum income in all member states or, if needs be, for the system to be updated in an effort to tackle poverty.
The rapporteur, Laura Agea (EFDD, Italy) stated, “Today we do not want only to spark a debate on the issue” of the minimum wage. She advocated a twin-track approach: firstly, to curb the social impact of the crisis and secondly, to encourage active employment policies.
On this basis, the minimum income will not be enough on its own. It needs to be based on a global strategy including assistance for accommodation, health and education which also takes into account children and single parent families. In this regard, the minimum income should take into account poverty risk thresholds adopted by the EU statistical office (Eurostat). MEPs also consider it necessary to improve communication to the most vulnerable people and who are eligible for increases in minimum income rates.
Around 120 million Europeans – 25% of the EU population are at risk of falling into poverty and social exclusion, according to the 2015 figures contained in the draft report. This also points out that children, women and the unemployed, as well as single-parent families and the disabled are most exposed to this risk.
The text is expected to be submitted to the plenary during the second October plenary session. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)