Brussels, 16/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 15 March, MEPs approved the 2023 priorities for employment and social policies under the European Semester. In the report by Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D, Spanish), adopted by 319 votes to 171 with 138 abstentions, they call on the EU to tackle the soaring cost of living through social protection measures. They want “the rapid implementation of the minimum wage directive, an EU directive on minimum income schemes, at least €20 billion to support the European Child Guarantee scheme, and to build on the Social Climate Fund”, according to a statement. They are also asking the Commission for new legislation guaranteeing access to essential services such as housing, energy, water and waste and a ban on power cuts for the most vulnerable. Link to the text: https://aeur.eu/f/5tw (SP)