Millions of people in the EU are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 21.3% were affected in 2023.

On this day, which represents an opportunity to acknowledge the struggles of people living in poverty and a chance for their concerns to be heard, we would like to highlight CELSI's research and policy contributions that support decisions aimed at preventing poverty and inequality in the EU and particularly in Central European Countries.

Poverty is not only linked to unemployment but also to the nature of work. According to newly released EU-SILC data, the "working poor" and individuals with "low work intensity" are particularly at risk, especially in sectors like care. This illustrates how poverty is closely tied to income sources, career paths, and one's position in the labour market.

As a labour studies institute, CELSI contributes to a comprehensive understanding of various issues surrounding working conditions, adequate wages, and overall decent work standards through different research projects.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦:

• 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐞: CELSI provides expert data services for the WageIndicator Foundation and calculates the living wages and salary survey data, that ensures workers earn enough to cover basic living needs for a dignified life.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/wageindicator/

• 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐈𝐆: Aims to explore sustainable and socially just employment conditions for temporary migrants.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/justmig/

• 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍-𝐂𝐄: Investigates the role of social dialogue in protecting vulnerable groups in the labour market during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project outcomes will include a special issue in the Transfer journal.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/defen-ce/

• 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝟒𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: Focuses on securing decent working conditions in the care services sector, ensuring care workers are adequately compensated and protected.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/care4care/

• 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐓𝐚𝐥: Aims to highlight the importance of mental health during one's working life, creating strategies to support mental well-being for employees.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/IncreMe-n-tal/

• 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: Examines employer strategies for hiring flexible workers, such as through temporary staffing agencies, and ensures that these workers have access to appropriate social protection.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/transeuroworks/

• 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐆𝐄: Investigates who negotiates wage conditions in sectors with a high share of low-skilled labour, such as the hospitality industry, and explores the challenges faced in wage bargaining in these sectors.

https://www.celsi.sk/en/barwage/

By expanding on these projects, CELSI supports informed decision-making to improve working conditions, wage structures, and overall labour standards.