EU leaders meeting for a ‘competitiveness retreat’ next week must refocus on people’s real priorities after a massive survey of European citizens found economic insecurity is their top concern.
The Eurobarometer, which surveyed 26,453 people across all members states found that tackling inflation, rising prices and the cost of living is people’s top priority for EU action, followed by the economy and job creation (35%). Defence and security, public services and the fight against poverty and social exclusion made up the rest of people's top five priorities.
The survey also found a strong link between economic insecurity and pessimism about the future. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls on EU leaders to tackle economic insecurity and competitiveness at the same time by putting money in workers’ pockets and boosting internal demand. There is no serious competitiveness plan without stronger internal demand, driven by higher wages and strong collective bargaining.
They can do this by speeding up actions to promote collective bargaining including through amendment of public procurement rules and by advancing a strong Quality Jobs Act, which includes legislation to increase collective bargaining as the best way to genuinely fair pay and conditions. This is among the detailed proposals published by the ETUC as part of the Commission’s first stage consultation on the Act.
Commenting on the poll, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“The results of this poll should refocus the minds of EU leaders on people’s real priorities as they prepare for next week’s ‘competitiveness retreat’. Some politicians seem to think that the cost-of-living crisis is a distant memory, but as this poll demonstrates, that is certainly not the case for working people in Europe who are losing hope for the future.
“They want to see leaders working flat out to tackle insecurity and create quality jobs, not making the situation worse through deregulation or cuts to social spending. Tackling economic insecurity and guaranteeing protection by increasing pay and the affordability of housing, energy and food - along with investment in public services - are key to increasing competitiveness.
"Research shows low pay is exacerbating the labour shortages holding back our companies, whereas putting more money in the pockets of working people would give a timely boost to internal demand creating more confidence for consumers and business. It is important that the leaders retreat is not a one-sided affair that ignores the needs of working people, their families and communities."
