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Essential workers from nine European countries gathered in Brussels on October 1, 2024, to demand improved pay and working conditions through reforms in EU procurement rules. The rally involved around 1,000 participants, including cleaners, security guards, and food service employees. The protest aimed to address the "race to the bottom" caused by current EU procurement policies that prioritize cost over worker welfare.
Security worker Youssef B. highlighted the challenges faced by essential workers: “My job is very important for the safety of the people. But my salary is far too low for the cost of living.” He called for changes at the European level to secure better working conditions.
Najib M., a contract catering worker in the European Parliament, shared his concerns about job stability: “Over the course of my 20-year career in the European Parliament, I’ve worked for 11 different bosses... We need stability and fairness.”
