Millions of workers can't afford holidays
by Niall Shanahan
 
Italy, Spain and France also have high numbers of workers missing out on a break for financial reasons.
Italy, Spain and France also have high numbers of workers missing out on a break for financial reasons.

More than 38 million people in Europe can’t afford a week's holiday despite being employed, according to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). It said poverty wages had added three million to last year’s figures.

 

While access to holidays has grown over the last decade, the majority of the EU’s low-income families EU remain excluded. Overall, 28% of EU citizens can’t afford a one-week holiday away from home.

 

The ETUC listed Romania, Greece and Lithuania as the worst affected EU countries. Italy, Spain and France also have high numbers of workers missing out on a break for financial reasons.

 

The ETUC, which counts the Irish Congress of Trade Unions among its affiliates, has been highlighting holiday inequality as part of its efforts to strengthen the EU’s directive on adequate minimum wages and collective bargaining.

 

The directive, designed to ensure adequate minimum wages, enable a decent standard of living, guard against in-work poverty and reduce wage inequality, is to be formally approved by the parliament and the EU employment and social-affairs council in September.

 

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