The European Parliament elections will take place across the EU between 23-26 May 2019. In Ireland, we will vote on Friday, 24 May 2019. As part of our – European Movement Ireland – campaign to help raise awareness amongst the Irish public about the European elections, we will be following the story of 6 Irish voices on 6 different topics and discovering why their chosen topic matters in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Meet Aaron…
Profile
- Name: Aaron
- County: Co. Wexford
- Occupation: Student
- Age: 20
Why it’s important to engage in the upcoming elections on the issue of social rights
The upcoming European Elections in May are crucial for young people across Ireland, especially when it comes to social rights. As a student of politics and history, I have studied the European Quality of Life survey from 2016 and I was amazed at some of the findings.
When it comes to work-life balance, 66% of people in employment surveyed in Ireland and the U.K. said they were too tired from work to do household jobs. This is a very high statistic. The European Pillar of Social Rights which was signed off by the European Parliament in 2017, aims to “improve dynamic labour markets and fairer working conditions”. However, more work is needed on social rights and that is why the upcoming elections are so important. This is of great importance to me as I will be entering the workforce in the next couple of years and plan to have a family with my girlfriend in the near future. I know from my own mother and father’s experience that working extended hours is very much in fashion.
Social rights should also be very important for everyone else in Ireland in order to improve our lives. Let’s get out and vote!