Brussels, 09/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU's agreement on 20 June last on the draft directive to improve the portability of supplementary pensions is perhaps a good proposal but it is far from ideal, in the opinion expressed on Monday 8 July by the European Parliament rapporteur, Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, Netherlands). She criticised member states for having limited its scope to Europeans who decide to work in another member state but ignoring cross-border workers.
The new rules will be based on Article 46 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (free movement of workers) and not on Article 48 (coordination of social security systems). This choice has divided member states and still does not completely satisfy Oomen-Ruijten, because it “discriminates” against certain workers. Nonetheless, it is at present the best compromise possible, according to the European Commission representative, addressing the EP's employment and social affairs committee on Monday 8 July. On Tuesday 9 July, MEPs decided to proceed to a early second reading of the draft directive and begin inter-institutional negotiations after the summer break. (JK/transl.fl)