C 184/64
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
25.5.2023
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion (COM(2022) 490 final — 2022/0299 (NLE)) (2023/C 184/12)
Rapporteurs: Jason DEGUARA and Paul SOETE
Referral
European Commission, 25.11.2022
Legal basis
Article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Section responsible
Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship
Adopted in section
8.3.2023
Adopted at plenary
22.3.2023
Plenary session No
577
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
143/00/08
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
The EESC welcomes the content of the recommendation, especially the implementation of realistic and sufficient criteria for the level of adequacy and accessibility of minimum income, the legal guarantee thereof and the reporting system, the European Commission’s further recognition of the need for an active social policy and further actions to combat poverty across the EU. 1.2.
There is a need for a rights-based approach for all to an adequate minimum income which leaves no one behind, does not have overly restrictive criteria and is accurately measured to ensure that it is effective. 1.3.
Addressing poverty and income inequalities is important not only for reasons of social fairness but also to support economic growth.
The overall stabilising effect of minimum income systems for the economy should also be noted in this context. 1.4.
The right of the Member States to define the principles of their social systems, the complementary competences of the EU and Member States and the full use of the EU Treaty’s instruments should be the guiding principles of any EU action in the field of social protection. 1.5.
Quality and sustainable employment is the best way out of poverty and social exclusion.
At the same time, ensuring that more people are in an inclusive and good quality labour market helps finance social protection systems and makes them more financially sustainable. 1.6.
Currently, in a large number of Member States the setting and level of minimum income benefits are not based on a robust methodology or linked to statistically underpinned indicators reflecting decent and dignified life.
The first step is to set up this kind of methodology and to take into account the different income sources and the specific situations of households. 1.7.
The EESC insists that it is necessary for minimum incomes to be kept in line with inflation, especially with the rise in cost of living in terms of food and energy, and this should be done on a regular basis, with the support of civil society organisations, social partners and welfare organisations. 1.8.
Continuous monitoring of implementation of income support policies and other social protection policies ensuring active inclusion is necessary to achieve the objectives of this recommendation.
The progress reports by Member States should be drafted with the participation of relevant civil society and welfare organisations and social partners, or their reports should be regularly addressed by the Commission's monitoring mechanism, as stated in the Council recommendation.