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On April 29-30, European social ministers gathered in Athens to discuss among others "Economic recovery and social policies: the role of minimum income schemes" at an informal EPSCO meeting. Addressing the ministers at this occasion, Social Platform called on all member states to put in place accessible adequate minimum income schemes as the basis for high level social protection across the life span and as economic stabilisers. To achieve a level playing field across Europe, we asked for the adoption of an EU framework directive on adequate minimum income schemes, establishing common principles, definitions of adequacy, and methods. We also pointed out how putting in place such schemes would contribute to the delivery of the Europe 2020 poverty reduction target.

Ensuring adequate minimum income protection as a tool to fight poverty is also economically sound. Evidence shows that member states with good social welfare policies are among the most competitive and prosperous. This was again highlighted during the meeting by Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs László Andor. Adequate schemes represent a huge return on investment while the cost of non-investment has enormous immediate impacts for the individuals concerned and long term costs for society.

The social ministers agreed that the issue of guaranteed minimum income is of crucial importance, in particular at times of economic crisis. One member state also pleaded explicitly for a commitment to have adequate and well working minimum income schemes in all member states and voiced its support for an EU legal framework to support this.

During the press conference following the meeting, the Greek Minister for Social Affairs, Iannis Vroutsis, stated that “Minimum Income Schemes should be designed in a way to provide adequate protection, broad coverage and be characterised by administrative simplicity”. However, it should be clear that having an adequate minimum income is not a mere tool in activating people onto the labour market, as the sole aim of social policies. The right to an adequate minimum income should be recognised as a fundamental right and should enable people to live a life in dignity, support their full participation in society and ensure their independence across the life cycle.

Read our full recommendations to the ministers for social affairs and employment.

Read the remarks by Heather Roy in the opening plenary of the ministerial meeting