Minister Iva: Clearer Social Security Coordination Rules needed in the EU

People who have exercised their right of free movement need to have a clear understanding of their rights and who is responsible for the payment of social benefits, Minister of Social Protection, Ms Kaia Iva stressed at the meeting of EPSCO i Council in Brussels on March 3.

Minister of Social Protection, Kaia Iva: „Because of changed ways of working and due to more and more people using their right of free movement between member states, the social security coordination rules need to become easier and clearer as well. People need to have a clear understanding of their rights when moving to work or live in another country.“

The European Commission has proposed to make the coordination rules of social security clearer and fairer. The proposal concerns family, unemployment and long-term care benefits, posted workers and access to social benefits for economically inactive people.

Iva said that the EU member states need to improve cooperation. „We should think of fast and efficient information exchange channels to improve cooperation between the member states authorities,“ Iva said.

The ministers are also discussing the priorities of employment and social policies in Europe in 2017 and states’ experiences in implementing the country-specific recommendations. The Council conclusions on the 2017 Annual Growth Survey i and Joint Employment Report and Council conclusions on improving skills of women and men in the EU Labour Market are also approved.