Provisions on minimum income are the last hope for series of social assistance programs. Several European and international declarations, conventions and contracts stipulate people’s right for sufficient income on a level that respects human dignity and enables to feel as part of society in which they live. Both, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN, 1948) and the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) acknowledge that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care” (Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11 of ICESCR) and that right was attested again at the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993. The Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union states:
Article II-94 (3).In order to combat social exclusion and poverty, the Union recognises and respects the right to social and housing assistance so as to ensure a decent existence for all those who lack sufficient resources, in accordance with the rules laid down by Community law and national laws and practices.
The latest Recommendation of the European Commission of 3.10.2008 on the active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market(C (2008) 5737) states in its preamble:
Council Recommendation 92/441/EEC of 24 June 1992 on common criteria concerning sufficient resources and social assistance in social protection systemsremains a reference instrument for Community policy in relation to poverty and social exclusion and has lost none of its relevance, although more needs to be done to implement it fully.
The latest Council Recommendation (3 October 2008) invites the Member States to ensure adequate income support that would enable to recognise the “the individual’s basic right to resources and social assistance sufficient to lead a life that is compatible with human dignity as part of a comprehensive, consistent drive to combat social exclusion”.The recommendation adds that determining such resources for leading a life compatible with human dignity depends on the standard of living and prices in each country.The definition of adequacy differs by countries and no single threshold can be laid down within the European Union.
In the document on "Myths and Reality", there is a debate onsome of the questions and statements by people who believe that programs on adequate income reduce the will to work and that establishing minimum wage is disadvantageous to businesses and economy of a state.
The following document asks for reasonable answers to these questions based on reputable national and international sources confirming that programs for adequate minimum income are reasonable and their implementation does not inflict damage, but reduces the enormous economic and social price for poverty, paid not only by the people suffering from it, but all members of society.
A short review on adequate minimum income can be found here
