One in five people live below the poverty line in Luxembourg, despite the Grand Duchy being one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. LSAP takes aim at social injustice and is calling for immediate measures to ensure wages, housing, education and healthcare for all.

"The figures are alarming" say the LSAP (Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party): 18.1% of the Luxembourgish population is at risk of poverty. The gap between rich and poor is rapidly widening, with the richest top 10% of households owning half of the country's private wealth. One in seven people does not earn enough to live in dignity, and one in four children is at risk of growing up in a precarious situation.

For the LSAP, these statistics show that poverty is an injustice that requires concrete measures to address it. "People in poverty don't need charity, they need fair and concrete prospects for the future," the party wrote in a statement on Thursday.

Two years ago, the government declared it would make the fight against poverty its priority. A national action plan against poverty is due to be presented soon, yet the state budget is yet to allocate funding to the project. The LSAP says this lack of resources constitutes irresponsibility. Fighting poverty requires immediate action, rather than waiting for things to get worse.

The LSAP is calling for ambitious measures to guarantee decent housing for all, proposing a mandatory quota of 20% of affordable housing in every municipality, as well as launching a social housing construction programme nationwide. The party also advocates for promoting alternative housing options, such as cooperatives or inter-generational cohabitation, as well as strengthening tenant protections against unfair evictions. Landlords should also be held accountable for keeping their properties habitable.

Employment should also protect against financial precarity, say the LSAP. The minimum wage should immediately be increased by 100 euros net, followed by a progressive increase until it reaches 60% of the average salary. There should also be an increase in social inclusion income and minimum pension amounts. The party says that there needs to be more regulation for precarious work, more support for people in debt, and social tariffs should be established for energy, internet and insurance. In addition, the LSAP is pushing for stronger initiatives to promote a return to work and vocational training.

The LSAP is also highlighting the importance of offering people equal chances from a young age, with more resources for children in poverty, more new schools in deprived areas, and covering fees linked to education. The party also proposes prevention programmes for health, nutrition and mental well-being, and a free birth kit for disadvantaged families. In addition, cooperation between schools, homes and social workers should be improved through "shared confidentiality".

The Socialists issued a call for action to prevent homelessness and guarantee healthcare access, with the development of accommodation adapted to the specific needs of people in difficult situations. They should also have simplified access to a "reference address" and universal access to healthcare, detox facilities and mental health support. Enshrining universal healthcare coverage in law is essential to prevent a two-tiered health system.

Migrants should be entitled to a dignified reception with minimum standards for all facilities, constructive and integrative activities, and a simplified recognition process for diplomas and other qualifications.

The LSAP says offering opportunities to people in poverty is first and foremost a matter of political will. With poverty already affecting one in five, the party says immediate action to reduce inequalities is required, guaranteeing a minimum amount of dignity for all.