On the international Labour Day 2021, the European Left reaffirms its commitment to a social Europe fighting for the improvement of the working and living conditions.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and decades of austerity have pushed millions of workers into a state of precariousness – declares Heinz Bierbaum, President of the European Left - The most vulnerable have been disproportionately affected and are still paying the highest price. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs or earned below the acceptable standards, which underlines the effects of austerity and years of privatization in key sectors such as health care”

“We look forward to the upcoming Social Summit in Porto with the full awareness that it may be a crucial step in the struggle for a social Europe – continues Bierbaum.

“The actions taken by the European Union under the Recovery and Resilience Plan are still far from satisfactory since they do not address the vast gaps for a real just transition that will ensure fair working conditions in the future.

“We have to be vigilant and pretending that the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights will ensure a higher standard of protection and better incomes for all workers. To achieve that, it is necessary to exercise pressure towards ensuring higher minimum wages and stronger collective bargaining

“The EL is committed to supporting this struggle which is crucial not only to improving working and living conditions in the European Union but also to fostering workers’ participation in the economic recovery for a strong social Europe – concludes Bierbaum.