welfare
Mon, 11/05/2009 - 7:49pm
welfare
The European Commission must propose legislation that would combat social inequalities, and create conditions for a convergence of social insurance and welfare systems in all member states. This would cover salaries and pensions, and would establish “floors” and “ceilings” for social benefits. The EU should create a mechanism to monitor member states’ social policies and, if needed, should issue binding recommendations for member states to ensure that the EU moves closer to a common EU social system.
The European Commission should enhance a new Green Book on Welfare for All Citizens. That way a new debat can start in which citizens as well as networkorganizations can involve themselves.
The excisting welfare amongst the EU-member-states is at present far too much a patch work instead of a support to the citizens.
Welfare is more then just a paid job or a decent social security. It is also a decent livelyhood, a decent education system, a decent job, a non-violent community and residential area.
Welfare means access to decently paid work, decent housing, decent education and vocational training, electricity and non-poluted water, community centres and - work(ers), the means and possiblities to voluntary work and a way out of exclusion.
There is a lot to do. Let us all start today. The EU, its Commission as its Parlement should take the lead, and establish that the excisting EU-networks, as there are the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) and the Social Platform to be its second in charge for new developments and necessary changes in the WELL FARE of the EU-citizens.
Jo Bothmer, EAPN Netherlands