European Parliament pushes for EU-wide minimum income rules that protect persons with disabilities

On the 15 March 2023, the European Parliament approved a report calling on the European Commission to propose legislation establishing a decent minimum income in the European Union.

This report – which calls on EU institutions to start discussions on creating EU-wide legislation on minimum income (money that the State would grant to people to supplement their salaries or if they don't earn income) – includes important considerations regarding disability: 

• 1 – Recognises increasing poverty gaps for persons with disabilities in the EU, particularly women;
• 2 – Points out the extra cost of living and insufficient social security support for persons with disabilities;
• 3 – Calls on the Commission to provide the Member States with more flexible resources to help reduce the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities and other excluded communities;

In addition to the advocacy, the European Disability Forum has strongly supported Social Platform's campaign on the issue. Social Platform – which the European Disability Forum is a member of – is the leading organisation working on social issues in Europe.  Social Platform's campaign calls on the European Commission to make an ambitious proposal for an EU Framework Directive to guarantee an adequate, accessible, and enabling Minimum Income. Ahead of the vote in the European Parliament, Social Platform sent a joint letter to MEPs, which was co-signed by EDF. The European Disability Forum is committed to continuing the advocacy towards EU-wide legislation that ensures a decent income for all persons with disabilities.

REHACARE.com; Source: European Disability Forum