Trade unions unite in call for action on cost of living

France

Nine trade unions and five student organisations have come together to issue a joint communique calling for action in response to the impact of inflation on the standard of living of workers, students and pensioners. They are calling for a policy of redistribution in favour of wages and action to tackle inequality, particularly between men and women. The organisations also underline that the minimum wage should be only regarded as appropriate as a starting salary and not a wage level that applies throughout a working life. The communique underlines that both public and private sector employers need to take action and that any public support for private employers should be strictly on the condition that the comply with environmental and social requirements, including on pay.

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On 13 March, the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) governing body endorsed an agreement on living wages. This acknowledges that decent wages are central to economic and social development and to advance social justice. The document also says that living wages play an essential role in reducing poverty and inequality and ensuring a decent and dignified life. For the ILO, a living wage is the wage level necessary to afford a decent standard of living for workers and their families, taking into account the country circumstances and calculated for the work performed during the normal hours

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ETUC highlights soaring dividend payouts as workers face higher school costs

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Research by the European Trade Union Confederation has found that payouts to shareholders are rising up to 13 times faster than pay for working people. Taking two examples, dividend payments increased by 75% in Portugal and 66% in Denmark between April and June this year, while nominal compensation in those countries rose by only 6% and 5%. Across Europe, dividends increased by 10% – double the rate at which wages are rising. Meanwhile, the ETUC has also focused on the increase in educational costs for families as children return to school. The price of essential items like pens, pencils

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Union calls for living wage for all early years educators

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