Eurobarometer: Living standards priority for new mandate

Citizens say better living standards should be the priority for Europe in the new mandate, polling published by the European Parliament shows.

Rising prices and the cost of living (42 per cent) and the economic situation (41 per cent) emerged as the top concerns of 26,000 citizens in the European Parliament’s post-election Eurobarometer.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls on the new European Commission to bring their actions into line with the priorities of citizens.

The ETUC wrote to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week to set out its proposals for legislation and investment which would deliver a fair deal for workers.

Commenting on the findings, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:

“These results should be a wake-up call to the new European Commission whose actions have so far not reflected the clear priorities of citizens.

“Europe is facing a quality jobs and social justice emergency and that is where working people want to the Commission’s focus to be.

“The Commission should start by reinstating the ‘quality jobs and social rights’ job title. But most importantly, it needs to commit to concrete legislation for quality jobs and higher living standards rather than vague promises.

“The best way to raise living standards is to increase the number of workers covered by collectively bargaining agreements and the EU can do this by ensuring companies which receive public contracts must respect workers’ and trade union rights.”