On Tuesday 24 January, MEPs on the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) called on Member States to raise national minimum income schemes in EU countries, which were the subject of a proposal for an EU Council recommendation in September, and to improve the inclusiveness and accessibility of these schemes to deal with the cost of living.
Specifically, they adopted a motion for a resolution, by 27 votes to 8 with 9 abstentions, in which they consider that an “EU directive on adequate minimum income would help to further improve the accessibility, adequacy and favourable aspects of minimum income schemes in order to promote upward social convergence”, according to a statement.
EU countries should “progressively raise their minimum income schemes for all persons lacking sufficient resources to an adequate level at least equivalent to the national at-risk-of-poverty threshold, as part of a broader strategy to combat poverty and provide incentives to promote the reintegration of those who can work into the labour market”.
Minimum income schemes must also be accessible to anyone who may need them and to disadvantaged social groups, such as the homeless.
The EU Council adopted the recommendation in December (see EUROPE 13073/20).
Link to the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/521 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)