On the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to ensure the Work Programme 2026 includes action to tackle the root causes of in-work poverty.
In a letter sent today, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch warns that poverty is a major issue even among people in work: almost 1 in 10 EU workers are at risk of poverty, and nearly half of minimum-wage earners under 35 cannot afford to live independently.
“Poverty is not inevitable. It is a political choice,” said Lynch. “The EU must invest in quality jobs, fair wages and decent housing. That’s how we eradicate poverty and build a fairer Europe.”
The ETUC outlines three key demands:
-
Action for quality jobs
The ETUC calls for a Quality Jobs Act to address the growing crisis of in-work poverty and precarious employment. The Act must include a focus on decent wages and secure contracts through collective bargaining. That requires the revision of public procurement rules to ensure public funds only flow to quality job employers, and action against abusive subcontracting. It also means taking action against the drivers of people leaving employment, including burnout, and for a Just Transition. All jobs must be quality jobs.
-
Stop plans to weaken workers’ rights
The ETUC warns against the introduction of the 28th Company Regime, a separate set of rules for corporations potentially allowing them to circumventing national labour laws and collective agreements. This would spell disaster for working people, weakening their bargaining power and ability to obtain pay increases.
“We call on the Commission to confirm that the 28th Company Regime will not touch employment standards and labour law. Any attempt to sidestep national protections or collective agreements is unacceptable and would lead to social dumping,” wrote Esther Lynch in her letter to von der Leyen.
-
Affordable housing for all
With housing costs rising faster than wages in many EU countries, the ETUC welcomes the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan and calls for wage increases that reflect real housing costs, stronger regulation of speculation and short-term rentals and investment in public, social, and non-profit housing.
The ETUC stresses that minimum wages alone are not enough, they must be adequate and aligned with the real cost of living. The EU’s Adequate Minimum Wage Directive provides a framework, but implementation must be strengthened. Social conditionalities for all EU housing-related funding is a key lever for the EU to lift conditions and pay in the construction sector.
ENDS
