Under the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, the ‘Minimum Income, towards a safety net for all’ conference was organized by PPS Social Integration in Brussels on January 18, 2024. The event provided Member States with an opportunity to assess progress and commit to robust social protection within the EU.
According to Karine Lalieux, Belgian Minister of Pensions and Social Integration,  “Belgium can be proud of the great strides it has made in recent years to guarantee an adequate minimum income for its most vulnerable citizens.”
Karine Lalieux emphasized Belgium’s achievements, highlighting an 8% increase in the integration income during this legislative term. She mentioned the launch of the REDI online tool, reinforcing efforts to assess households’ real needs based on reference budgets. Lalieux expressed hope for clear measures from the European Commission to support the development of adequate minimum incomes across all Member States.
Throughout the conference, Member States shared progress on minimum income systems one year after the Council of the EU’s recommendation encouraging the introduction of adequate minimum income systems.
Key Points Discussed:
Support for Minimum Income Recipients: Discussions focused on support for those receiving minimum income and initiatives to encourage their participation.
Evolution of Minimum Income Schemes: Some countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, and France, presented significant reforms in their minimum income schemes.
Combating Non-Take-Up (NTU): Member States explored actions to improve the uptake of minimum income systems and addressed the issue of ‘non-take-up.’ Communication efforts to raise awareness were highlighted.
Anticipated Measures:
Monitoring Progress and Reforms: Expectations include monitoring progress and reforms implemented in the EU and sharing experiences among Member States.
Digital Modernization: Belgium plans to implement the “CPAS online” tool by 2024, allowing individuals seeking assistance to submit requests online, thus combating non-take-up.
The High-Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights, scheduled for April 15 and 16, 2024, will further address these measures. The social component remains a key priority of the Belgian presidency, aiming to introduce the principles of the European pillar of social rights to make the EU more equitable and inclusive.
