Today an online meeting of the trade union leaders from Eastern Europe was held to discuss the social and economic consequences of low wages in Eastern European countries. At the meeting, the EU policy makers discussed how EU can positively influence wage increases and working conditions - not only in the Member States but also in the other countries. The meeting was attended by high level officials from the European Economic and Social Committee, representatives of the forthcoming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Among other things, the Report released in early 2020: Wages leading to poverty was presented and discussed, which explains how low wages lead to poverty, inequality and mass migration from East to West - seriously jeopardizing Europe's social and economic goals and integration. The COVID-19 crisis has further put enormous pressure on wages and working conditions in the region, pushing millions of workers into low-paid jobs and creating a huge social and economic imbalance in the region.
