The European Union has sidelined poverty issues for too long and it’s weakening the quality of life for its citizens, MEP Alfred Sant warned.

After voting in favour of a report to reduce inequalities in the European Parliament, Sant warned that decisive change is needed to reverse a growing trend of poverty in an economy based on low-grade jobs. 

The report focused on addressing in-work poverty, a crisis that has been fuelled by decades of austerity policies and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At this point, the report’s proposals aim at reducing in-work poverty, especially through stronger collective bargaining systems and adequate minimum income and pensions are highly commendable,” Alfred Sant said.

In-work poverty is a global issue and counters the idea that employment is the solution to being poor.

Sant added that the rise of low-quality work in the gig economy is worsening the situation for many entering the labour market.

According to Eurostat, people are at risk of in-work poverty if they work for over half a year and their yearly disposable income is below 60% of the median household income level. Around 10% of European workers are at risk of in-work poverty. It is most often young people, minorities, those engaged in temporary work, part-time work and precarious jobs that are at risk of this kind of poverty.

In Malta, 6.5% of people are considering to be in in-work poverty.

The MEP called for the EU-wide issue to be discussed front and centre.

What do you make of Alfred Sant’s comments?