illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euractiv or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Around a thousand essential workers from nine EU nations, including cleaners and security staff, gathered in Brussels to demand better labor conditions
• They are calling for reforms in the EU’s public procurement system, which they argue prioritizes low-cost contracts over fair wages and job quality
• Workers are pushing for the €2 trillion procurement market to support social and environmental targets

🔭 The context: The rally highlights ongoing concerns that EU public procurement rules favor the lowest bidder, leading to worsening work conditions
• Past reforms, including a 2014 revision, have failed to significantly improve worker protections, according to EU auditors
• Trade unions and MEPs are advocating for stronger social criteria in these contracts

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Reforming procurement policies to include environmental and social standards could drive sustainable practices across industries
• Ensuring fair wages and conditions for essential workers aligns with broader goals of equitable economic development and responsible public spending

⏭️ What's next: EU policymakers, led by Stéphane Séjourné, are reviewing procurement rules, but the focus is currently on reducing bureaucracy without clear commitments to social or sustainability criteria
• Further demonstrations and negotiations are expected as unions push for concrete reforms

💬 One quote: "Public money can’t go to ‘bad employers’,” said Olivier Roethig, regional secretary of UNI Europa, underscoring the call for ethical use of public funds

📈 One stat: In eight EU member states, over 80% of contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder, according to recent EU audits

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