The European Committee of Social Rights urged European governments to raise minimum wages to at least 60% of national average wages and put caps on staple-food prices to help workers deal with rising living costs. The Council of Europe body put out its 2024 Activity Report with ideas for stronger social protection during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, according to a press release. The report wants governments to make sure people have stable access to affordable energy and fix housing problems through rent caps, bigger housing benefits, and more social housing. The committee also wants social security payments to keep up with inflation rates. These steps would help protect workers and families from money troubles across Europe.
The committee looked at how 41 European countries dealt with the cost-of-living crisis using reports from governments, trade unions, civil society groups, and human rights groups. Food prices went up more than seven times faster than wages in 2023, hurting low-income families the most according to what they found. While inflation slowed down in 2024, living costs stayed high and showed gaps in wage protection, housing support, and social benefits. The review showed that many countries still don’t have good enough ways to protect their most vulnerable people. Workers keep struggling with basic needs like food, housing, and energy despite some economic improvements.
The committee handled 24 decisions throughout 2024, including 12 decisions on complaint merits and 12 decisions on whether complaints could go forward. Ten new group complaints were filed by national trade unions, international NGOs, and employers’ groups against six countries. Spain got hit with the most complaints at four cases, while Italy got two complaints and Belgium, France, Greece, and Norway each had one complaint filed against them. These complaints show ongoing problems with social rights protection across Europe. The cases cover things like working conditions, social security, and housing rights.
European officials held a big conference on social rights in Vilnius during Lithuania’s time leading the Council of Europe in 2024. The conference brought together ministers, senior officials, Council of Europe leaders, international groups, unions, and civil society groups to talk about social protection. People at the meeting adopted the Vilnius Declaration, which said that all human rights are connected and called for stronger social rights across Europe. The declaration led to new promises from member countries, including Iceland’s decision to ratify the revised Charter. Andorra, Ireland, and Moldova agreed to accept additional social rights rules, while Armenia promised to increase its commitments.
The committee works with other Council of Europe bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights and the Commissioner for Human Rights. It also works with national human rights groups, equality bodies, and governments to watch over social rights protection. A follow-up conference is planned for March 2026 in Chișinău under Moldova’s leadership to continue this work. The committee’s 2024 report shows governments need to do more during tough economic times. Social rights protection remains a big challenge for European countries as they deal with ongoing cost pressures.
