Guarantee of social rights must be a precondition for economic and financial measures taken by the Heads of State and Government

AEDH calls on MEPs to make a decisive influence on the European Commission and Heads of State and Government, so that measures to face the economic crisis and to settle the budgetary situation of many Member States will not be taken at the expense of the most fragile, the poorest and the social rights.

At the beginning of this year, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force. The Charter of Fundamental Rights recognizes social rights to the EU residents, such as the right to work, the right to social security and social help (including the right to housing), the right to health and the right to access economic services of general interest. The recognition of these rights must remain the cornerstone of the actions implemented by the EU authorities and its members to regulate the effects of the crisis. In the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion, it would not be acceptable for millions of people in Europe to be deprived of their basic social rights.


Various MEPs from political groups, such as ALDE, Greens/EFA and S&D have taken the initiative to write a declaration on “the protection of social rights when fighting against the economic crisis”. We encourage all MEPs to sign this declaration so that they clearly signify to Heads of State and Government, who will meet on 11 February, the direction in which they should take economic and budgetary measures.


AEDH agrees that the Commission and the Member States must ensure that “social conditionality becomes an integral part of any financial assistance and other stabilisation instruments”. The social rights of citizens should not be sacrificed by Europe in the name of economic regulation. Guarantees concerning employment and social protection must be given.