EU Directive on Minimum Income is needed

Today, the European Commission published recommendations on Minimum Income Schemes (MIS). The Greens/EFA Group welcomes the initiative of the Commission, but reiterates that we need an EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Income to ensure everyone has the financial resources to live a life in dignity. 

Sara Matthieu, Greens/EFA MEP and coordinator of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, comments:
 
“Adequate minimum incomes should ensure a life in dignity and enable a decent standard of living for all who receive it. Over one fifth of the EU population is currently at risk of poverty and social exclusion. With the cost-of-living crisis, the price of inaction has never been higher. So far, non-binding instruments have failed to keep people in the EU out of poverty. This is why we need an EU Directive as soon as possible and we call on Member States to set their minimum income schemes above the national at-risk-of-poverty line.”
 
Kim Van Sparrentak, Greens/EFA MEP and Member of the Social Affairs Committee: 
 
“The real cost of living must be reflected in minimum income schemes and should be a safety net for all. Women are disproportionately more affected by poverty. This measure must reflect individual needs within a household to improve gender equality. An adequate minimum income is a social and human right, and must be available for everyone as long as it’s required. That is why an EU Directive is long overdue.”
 
More:
Read our position paper on adequate minimum income.