In a draft report on the EU’s own resources currently being finalised, MEP Valérie Hayer (Renew Europe, French) proposes the introduction of a fair EU border tax, according to a press release published on Friday 13 January.
It would be a very concrete tool to “fight against the exploitation of people below the poverty line, who make trainers, t-shirts and other manufactured goods in poverty before these items are imported into Europe”, explains Ms Hayer.
This tax would require any company that imports products made by very poor workers into Europe to pay a charge to the EU. This charge would be equivalent to the difference between the poverty line (the wage that would allow the worker to move out of extreme poverty) and the amount the worker actually received.
The multinational would have two choices; either pay its workers better or pay the EU. This ‘tax’ would incentivise companies to raise workers’ living standards and reduce relocation and unfair competition.
The draft report ‘Own resources: A new start for EU finances. A new start for Europe’ will be sent to members of the Committee on Budgets next week. It will be discussed on 30 and 31 January in the European Parliament committee before a vote at the March plenary session. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)