Post by naeem10 on Feb 15, 2024 0:45:14 GMT -10
For some million workers, paying their energy bills was already difficult before the inflation crisis hit. In July this year, gas and electricity prices rose 38% across Europe compared to a year ago and prices continue to rise. According to a study by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), the independent research center of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), in most EU Member States the average annual energy bill is now higher than one month's salary for the lowest paid workers . This means that, in 16 Member States, workers earning the minimum wage have to set aside the equivalent of one month's salary or more for home lighting and heating. In 2021, this affected “only” eight Member States.
In Spain it takes 38 days of work to pay the annual energy bill The number of days a person earning the minimum wage must work to pay their energy bill has increased considerably in some countries: Estonia (+26), Netherlands ( Czechia Latvia (+16) . In four countries, Slovakia, Greece, France Email List Czechia and Italy, the average annual energy bill currently amounts to more than one month's salary for a minimum wage worker. Rising inflation threatens to trigger poverty and inequality The crisis facing workers is worsening due to new increases in prices for energy and other essential needs, such as food, that have occurred in the meantime.
The results of the study by the European Trade Union Institute come before the emergency meeting of the European Energy Council in which the sharp rise in prices in the energy sector must be addressed. The ETUC calls on European leaders to act decisively to end unsustainable increases in energy prices, in particular by: • Wage increases to cover increases in inflation and ensure that workers receive their fair share of productivity gains. • A cap on the amount of energy bills and a tax on excess profits of energy companies. • Emergency aid aimed at people struggling to pay their energy bills and a ban on disconnections.
In Spain it takes 38 days of work to pay the annual energy bill The number of days a person earning the minimum wage must work to pay their energy bill has increased considerably in some countries: Estonia (+26), Netherlands ( Czechia Latvia (+16) . In four countries, Slovakia, Greece, France Email List Czechia and Italy, the average annual energy bill currently amounts to more than one month's salary for a minimum wage worker. Rising inflation threatens to trigger poverty and inequality The crisis facing workers is worsening due to new increases in prices for energy and other essential needs, such as food, that have occurred in the meantime.
The results of the study by the European Trade Union Institute come before the emergency meeting of the European Energy Council in which the sharp rise in prices in the energy sector must be addressed. The ETUC calls on European leaders to act decisively to end unsustainable increases in energy prices, in particular by: • Wage increases to cover increases in inflation and ensure that workers receive their fair share of productivity gains. • A cap on the amount of energy bills and a tax on excess profits of energy companies. • Emergency aid aimed at people struggling to pay their energy bills and a ban on disconnections.