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Workers on the production line Photo: Archive
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Workers in Europe are 649 euros poorer this Christmas, according to a study by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), quoted on the CITUB’s website.
If the wages of European workers were “in step” with productivity growth over the past two years, they could easily meet their Christmas spending and even cover some of it for the New Year, according to the study.
The ETUC estimates that European workers would have received a total of 116 billion euros more than in 2019 if productivity growth had “turned” into correspondingly higher wages, as expected, BTA reports.
This means an average of € 649.30 extra for each worker. The amount is higher than the average that Europeans spend on gifts, food, social contacts and Christmas travel – 419.48 euros. In Germany, on average per person, the additional cost for the holiday is 500 euros, in Italy – 555 euros, in Spain – 562, in Portugal – 388, in Poland – 381 euros, according to the data.
The ETUC warns that wage growth in Europe has lagged significantly behind productivity growth over the past decade, and that the latest trend continues. Not only do workers not receive a fair share of the wealth they create, but Christmas is also becoming more expensive due to the fact that the increase in wages is not in line with inflation, according to European unions.
The ETUC calls on the French Presidency to ensure that the proposed amendments to the directive on fair and adequate minimum wages and collective bargaining are approved, so that more workers are covered by collective bargaining, which is a proven way to ensure that they receive their share of the increase. of productivity.
“Millions of workers can barely afford to keep the heating in their homes, what’s left is to buy gifts for their children as much as they want. The EU Wage Directive is a chance to ensure that working people finally get its fair share in the new year “, commented the deputy. ETUC Secretary-General Esther Lynch was quoted in the statement.
According to Lynch, if the elves in Santa’s workshop produce toys more efficiently than the previous year, then they should get their fair share of the extra Christmas joy they helped. The same goes for workers.
“Basic justice and economic theory require wages to increase in line with productivity. But this golden rule is being broken by tight-lipped bosses across Europe, and workers are paying the price this Christmas by being 600 euros poorer as prices rise. “, adds Lynch.
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