Poverty is a violation of human rights

85 million Europeans are threatened by poverty

Minimum wage differs considerably from one EU state to another

EMPs have debate introducing a new minimum wage to reduce poverty

Poverty is a violation of human rights

The year 2010 was declared the European Year of Fighting Poverty and Social Exclusion. Currently, 17% of the EU
population is threatened by poverty. According to ones who participated in the public event organised last week by the PE
Commission for Employment, one of the methods to fight poverty would be introducing a minimum wage.
In Europe, minimum wage varies between 1,641 in Luxembourg and 123 in Bulgaria. This reflects both a countrys living
standards as well as the applied social protection system.
Unemployment is one of the main causes of poverty, but relative poverty is also another reality that affects people who to not
have a high enough income to ensure an acceptable living standard and whose number is rising due to the current economical
crisis. Could a European minimum income contribute to toe fight against poverty?
This was the question addressed during the debate last week, organised by the PE Commission for Employment. EMPs have
raised the problem of guaranteeing a minimum income for the citizens, a subject also mentioned in the proposed report by
MP Ilda Figueiredo (Confederal Group of the United European Left/Nordic Green Left, Portugal). According to her, it is not
necessary to change the world, but to make a step forward.
Sergio Cofferati (Progressive Alliance Group of Socialists and Democrats of the European Parliament, Italy) thinks that,
currently, the economical crisis will increase poverty, but the minimum income can become an instrument of protecting
those who are the most exposed, such as the unemployed.
Poverty a violation of human rights
According to the report of Mrs. Figueiredo, the problem of poverty surpasses the minimum wage salary and should mean the
guarantee of minimum incomes, which should include not only benefits, but also provisions such as free access to basic
medical and educational services.
Did you know...

17% of the EU population is considered on the brink of poverty, living with less than 60% of the average national
income
Social protection reduces poverty rates by 32% in the EU
The most affected EU countries are Latvia (26%), Romania (23%) and Bulgaria (21%)

Henri Lourdelle, representative of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said: We have generated new
workplaces in the EU, but they tend to be characterised by precarious conditions. He added: in Europe there are 20 million
workers who do not have the necessary income to ensure acceptable standards in society and he declared himself in favour
of an instrument for offering a funding guarantee [...].
Such a framework directive is necessary, as the absence of some common standards has led to significant differences
regarding the way in which EU countries tackle the problem of poverty, said Elisabeth Lynne (Liberal and Democrat
Alliance Group for Europe, U.K.).
However, the idea of a minimum income might face several obstacles. Besides the Parliament debates, the proposal could be
blocked in the Council, warned Mrs. Lynne.