During a launching event, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has published a review focused on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on social rights across Europe. The review provides a detailed overview of the challenges faced by states in safeguarding the rights enshrined in the European Social Charter. It sets out recommendations to governments on how to ensure that those rights are guaranteed in situations where the cost of essentials rises much faster than average household incomes.
Gianluca Esposito, Director general of Human Rights and Rule of Law, in his opening speech underlined: “The cost-of-living crisis affects very many people in CoE member states, and its effects are still being felt, every day. Many people struggle making it to the end of the month. This crisis exacerbates social inequalities and impacts individuals’ ability to exercise their rights in areas including social protection, employment and housing. It is time to act to address it.”
In the review, the Committee provides a general overview of states’ responses to the crisis. It sets out guidance and a series of recommendations:
- States Parties must design and implement targeted measures for the groups most affected by the crisis, taking their specific needs into account.
- Social protection is a fundamental element of the Charter. Rising inflation has greatly reduced the value of social security benefits and assistance, leaving recipients unable to afford essentials. States must take all necessary steps to ensure these benefits remain adequate by adjusting them to keep up with inflation and support the most affected groups.
- The real value of the minimum wage has declined in numerous countries due to high inflation. The Committee makes clear that states must ensure fair remuneration in line with Article 4 of the Charter ensuring that workers and their families enjoy a decent standard of living. This includes ensuring that minimum wages are set at no less than 60% of the net national average wage.
- Governments must carry out meaningful consultation with persons belonging to the groups most affected by the crisis and ensure their participation of in the design, implementation, and evaluation of measures taken in response to the crisis.
- Rising housing costs and an increasing risk of homelessness are critical issues faced by many Europeans. The Committee stresses that the Charter rights require States to ensure that rents are affordable and that adequate housing benefits are dequate in relation to housing costs. Governments should increase initiatives to enhance the supply of social housing and strengthen protections against evictions.
- Sharp increases in energy and food prices have severely affected households, particularly those on low incomes. Governments should closely monitor levels of energy poverty, provide targeted support to those most affected, and implement long-term policies to ensure stable, consistent, and safe access to adequate energy.
The ECSR focuses on the situation regarding the groups most affected by the cost-of-living crisis: low-income households, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. It urges States Parties to adopt rights-based medium- and long-term measures to address the long-term effects of the cost-of-living crises – not just short-term ones (such as ad hoc or one-off cash allowances or temporary benefit increases).
The ECSR makes clear that addressing a cost-of-living crisis in a Charter rights-consistent way is essential if states are to give effect to their international law obligations under European human rights law.
Economic hardship should not lead to the erosion of fundamental social rights, and governments must ensure that policies uphold the principles of social justice and solidarity.
“Upholding Charter rights for the benefit of all supports economic recovery and social justice. Ensuring that everyone in Europe enjoys their rights related to social protection, housing, work, education constitutes direct, meaningful pushback against the growing threats to democracy that have been fed by fears about diminishing living standards and life opportunities”, ECSR President Aoife Nolan concluded.
