All EU Member States face social challenges, even if not to the same degree. There are people who despite having a job live in poverty, and who work in indecent conditions. The EU can and should therefore ensure a common minimum level of social standards.
The number of working poor is expected to increase as an effect of the crisis across the EU. Minimum wage has proven to address that successfully, even if not entirely. In the PES Election Manifesto we therefore proposed a European pact on wages, which guarantees equal pay for equal work and sets out the need for decent minimum wages in all EU member states. The minimum wage is to be agreed either by law or through collective bargaining and shall apply both to citizens and migrant workers.
In order to limit disproportionate hours of work and ensure periods of rest and protect workers’ health and safety, we need legal instruments at European level. The PES promotes decent working time that meets health and safety standards, and a fair work-life balance.