Recognition of the importance of a living wage and income

On 27 January 2021, Sigrid Kaag, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands and Gerd Müler, the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany signed a joint declaration regarding the importance of a living wage and living income.

The joint declaration strengthens the collaboration of the ministers on this topic, indicating that growing inequality and poverty are some of the greatest challenges in working towards sustainable trade. In order to achieve various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 1, that aims to eliminate poverty, and SDG 8, that targets decent work and economic growth, by 2030, a focus on living income and living wage is needed.

It’s good to see Germany and Holland leading this movement! Fairfood – together with Fairtrade Netherlands, Fair Wear, FNV, CNV, Solidaridad, Rainforest Alliance, IDH and Save the Children – welcomes the leadership shown by Minister Kaag and Minister Müller. In a letter addressed to minister Kaag, the before mentioned organisations underline the importance of a living wage as a human right, the need for sustainable supply chains, the importance of social dialogue and the empowerment of workers to achieve a living wage.

The signatories embrace the push for EU collaboration on the topic of living wages and living income, but we also encourage the Minister to lead by example. At a national level, and especially within the Dutch national government, further action can be taken, for example by promoting living wages and a living income in its own instruments for responsible business conduct, sustainable trade as well as public procurement.

Read the full letter here. You can learn more about living wages and income, alongside with the work Fairfood develops around this complex topic, by clicking here.

Photo in header via Twitter.