While the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted, on Wednesday 20 February, the opinion of Georges Dassis (Workers' Group, Greece) and his call for a European framework directive on minimum income, the EESC's Employers' Group is clearly opposed to the idea of such a directive. As proof, he submitted a counter-opinion on the same day describing his approach to reducing poverty.
“The Employers' Group fully shares the EESC's view that the fight against poverty is a necessity. However, for us, the instrument proposed in the notice is not the right one”, said Jacek Krawczyk, Chairman of the Employers' Group, in a statement issued on 24 February.
Given specifically that minimum income alone cannot bring results in the fight against poverty, this counter-opinion received the support of nearly 40% of the EESC members.
This result “clearly shows that the Committee is divided on how to achieve the EESC's common objective of poverty reduction”, according to Mr Krawczyk.
In his view, “besides the foundation formed by sound economic and active labour market policies, a targeted mix of other policies and actions such as adjustment of employment policies and services, social and health services is needed”. (DG - intern)