Talking Europe interviews the EU commissioner in charge of jobs and social rights, Nicolas Schmit. He speaks to the importance of protecting workers, particularly the "gig" or "platform" workers, whose status is at the core of a dispute between the European Commission and several EU member states. He also addresses the issue of "social dumping" – people being paid below their level of skills – an issue of relevance not only to EU workers, but also to Ukrainian refugees that have been granted permission to live and work in the EU. Plus, he explains the implementation of the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages, as economic conditions in Europe threaten people's purchasing power; especially that of poorer members of society.
Against the backdrop of the "European Year of Skills", Schmit emphasises that people should be paid according to their competencies and diplomas, and that they must not be undervalued. "It is in our interest to use people's skills at the right level," he says. "And I really appeal to member states, to social partners, to services, to employers, to unions, to combat social dumping very efficiently."
