Minimum Income Campaign Campaign Overview Amana Ferro EAPN Policy Officer Campaign Coordinator

Presentation Overview What is Minimum Income (MI)? Status Quo in Europe Why this campaign? Stage one of the MIC (2007-2008) Stage one of the MIC (2008-2009) More information

What is Minimum Income? MI is a non contributory income guarantee, that enables people who cannot fend for themselves to receive a minimum amount of monetary income. MI is a kind of social security support called replacement benefits, since they replace income from work when people are unemployed. MI provisions are social assistance schemes of last resort, and are therefore a lifeline for the people in greatest poverty. MI schemes are distinct from minimum wage schemes, which offer employees a floor level of salary, fixed by law or collective agreements.

MI Status Quo in the European Union 24 out of 27 Member States have MI schemes in place; There are serious flaws with the accessibility and the adequacy of these schemes. Some groups are not entitled to MI because of their age, employment situation, or status as migrants. Bureaucratic and systemic difficulties prevent people from taking up their rights. MI schemes are not set at adequacy levels sufficient to lift people out of poverty. Increased conditionality makes it more and more difficult to access existing MI schemes.

Why the MI Campaign? MI schemes are a corner stone of social protection, as having sufficient money to live on is an essential pre-requisite for a decent life. Minimum Income schemes are increasingly associated with a negative image of the poor, which undermines a key element of the European social model. The policy environment is ripe to call on EU institutions to implement commitments made (i.e. the European Commission Recommendation on the Active Inclusion of People Excluded from the Labour Market). The current financial, economical and social crisis provides an opportunity to stress the need for adequate social protection mechanisms

Stage 1 of the MIC (2007-2008) Included a wide range of materials for dissemination and awareness-raising: A leaflet presenting the EAPN campaign for Adequate Minimum Income schemes Printable posters and postcards of the campaign A model letter to send to political leaders at National level A model letter to send to political leaders at European level; A briefing note presenting the policy background of the current EAPN campaign; ‘Minimum Income: myths and realities’, a paper from Prof. Veit-Wilson, suggesting some strong arguments in favour of the idea of an adequate minimum income for a decent and dignified life for all. To consult these documents: http://www.eapn.eu/content/view/16/34/lang,en/

Stage 1 of the MIC (2007-2008) (cont’d) Not everyone has access to a dignified life!

Stage 2 of the MIC (2008-2009) October 2008 – September 2009 Running parallel to the EAPN campaign on the EP elections New impetus to our demands Raise awareness of the wider public in the eve of the European Year against Poverty and Social Exclusion

Stage 2 of the MIC (2008-2009) (cont’d) Objectives of the second stage: Awareness raising and gathering support (aimed at decision-makers as well as the wider public) EAPN development (strengthen the networks’ campaigning ability and achieve common understanding on concepts) Policy development (call for concrete action from the new European Parliament and European Commission)

Thank you! For more information: Read the Network News issue dedicated to the campaign: http://www.eapn.eu/content/view/272/lang,en/ Visit the page dedicated to the campaign in the Members’ Room: http://www.eapn.eu/content/view/45/42/lang,en/ (1515) Contact the EAPN Secretariat: amana.ferro@eapn.eu