Sant calls on Europe to address young people’s social realities

Europe must address young people’s social realities across Europe to win their confidence in the European project, Maltese MEP and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant said at an event organised by the European Parliament Office in Malta with the theme ‘ L-Ewropa Fis-Suq malMPE Maltin’ at the Valletta Food Market.

Dr Sant said that while a number of young people appreciate positive tailormade projects like Erasmus+, “we should not forget other European youths who are experiencing bad social conditions.

“A report by the European Commission highlights dissatisfaction with working life and degrading job conditions among young people in Europe. Lack of security, precarious work and the exploitation of young people in the digital sector are all signs which demonstrate that much needs to be done on the regulation of work conditions in Europe.”

Sant emphasised that the EU needs the tools to address these shortfalls.

“Although the EU is managed with good intentions, it must care more about those carrying the burdens caused by its own decisions. Young people, workers, pensioners and those who need social protection are shouldering these burdens. These dilemmas are a result of the mechanisms used by the European project which cannot continue to be ignored and must be addressed.”

Sant said the structures created by the single market placed the burdens on large sectors of the populations across Europe who, with their backs to the wall, are protesting the European project and sharing their solidarity with the populist movements.

“And Europe is doing nothing to resolve this dilemma,” the Maltese MEP argued.