The European Parliament has adopted fairer rules on social benefits for workers moving within the EU. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs last week approved a provisional agreement with the governments of the member states with 47 votes in favour, 3 against and 4 abstentions, paving the way for the revision of the rules for the coordination of social security systems. If formally approved by the Parliament and the Council, the agreement will introduce clearer criteria for determining the country's social security legislation applied.
It should also strengthen cooperation between Member States to communicate the necessary information promptly to help detect errors or fraud, including abusive practices such as letterbox companies. The agreement clarifies how periods of work, self-employment or insurance cover completed in different Member States are calculated when assessing entitlement to unemployment benefits. The Member State where a person last worked or was insured will be liable if the person has been active there for at least one uninterrupted month.
The text states that people who move to another EU country to look for work will be entitled to receive unemployment benefits for six months from the country from which they left. This period can be extended until the end of their entitlement.
As regards cross-border workers, the updated law clarifies which Member State is responsible for the payment of benefits. If an unemployed cross-border worker has worked as an employed person, self-employed and/or insured person for an uninterrupted period of 22 weeks in a Member State, the benefits will be paid by that Member State. The revised rules clarify the distinction between family allowances in cash, which are intended to replace income when a person leaves or reduces work to raise a child, and other family allowances.
