Minister calls for simplifying rules for EU's cross-border social benefits
Estonian Minister of Social Protection Kaia Iva emphasized the importance of simplifying the rules governing cross-border social benefits at the recent meeting of an EU council in Brussels.
According to the minister, who spoke about the matter at a meeting of the EU's Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, people who have taken advantage of the right of free movement need clarity regarding what their rights are and who is responsible for paying their social insurance benefits.
"Changed ways of working and people's increasing mobility between different countries make it necessary for regulations concerning social insurance benefit payments to people working in other countries to be made simpler and more understandable," Iva said in a press release.
She underlined at the council meeting that Estonia is a strong proponent of the free movement of labor and services and that cooperation among EU member states must become more efficient for cross-border rules to work. "Consideration should be given to as fast and efficient information exchange channels as possible so as to simplify cooperation among member states' government institutions and offer more convenient services to our citizens," Iva said.
"People need to be clear about the rights they can count on when relocating to live or work in another country," the Estonian minister added.
The European Commission has proposed updating the rules that coordinate social security systems in the EU. The proposals concern family, unemployment and long-term care benefits, social security for posted workers and the access of economically inactive citizens to social benefits.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS