Determining the living wage in the context of social rights guarantees: problems and solutions �
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/econlaw.2024.02.003Keywords:
state social standard, living wage, normatively determined and actual sizes of the living wage, social rights of citizens, EU law.Abstract
It is noted that the full realization of social rights and state social guarantees of citizens depends on the economically
justified calculation of the living wage. At the same time, based on existing judicial practice, parliamentary hearing
recommendations, and analysis of current Ukrainian legislation, it has been established that the state not only fails to fully ensure but also takes all possible quasi-legal measures aimed at nullifying the functions of the living wage. It is emphasized that in a number of court cases, violations by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine were recognized regarding the procedure for determining the size of the living wage, and the formation of the corresponding minimum sets of food products, nonfood
items, and services. In this regard, it is concluded that the practice of setting the living wage in a manner contrary
to the Law of Ukraine “On Living Wage” continues. This indicates violations by the authorized state bodies, primarily the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, of part 2 of Article 19 of the Constitution of Ukraine, and, consequently, the principle of the rule of law, which includes requirements such as legal certainty, legitimate expectations, and the “quality” of the law.
Given the intensification of the processes of adapting national legislation to EU law, including in the field of social policy, the proposal to integrate the principle of “adequacy of income support” provided by Recommendations No. 2023/C 41/01 into national legislation is substantiated. Additionally, it is recognized as necessary to ensure that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine exercises control over the implementation by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Living Wage” regarding the procedure for determining the size of the living wage, which is consistent with point 13 of part 1 of Article 85 of the Constitution of Ukraine. It is substantiated that the establishment, monitoring, and revision of living wage amounts per person, as well as separately for those belonging to the main social and demographic
groups of the population, should take place considering the procedural peculiarities established by the Law of Ukraine “On Legislative Activity”.
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