The reform of the regulation on the coordination of social security schemes (883/2004) was the subject of a briefing by the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council on Wednesday 1 April, which reportedly expressed cautious optimism that the dossier would be resolved by 22 April, when it meets the European Parliament for a trilogue meeting.
Only one member country, Luxembourg, took the floor at this briefing, in particular to reiterate its opposition to the mandate on the table and its fears that this reform, in its part on the rule for paying unemployment benefits to cross-border workers, would affect its system, sources report.
Several sources are banking on the possibility of an agreement with the European Parliament, which until now has been demanding protection for the construction sector by maintaining compulsory prior authorisation for postings, including for journeys of less than three days, and a double export period for unemployment benefits, adjusted according to the length of contributions.
The European Parliament is said to be in a constructive frame of mind, but discussions are continuing on the parameters of the agreement: for example, on unemployment benefits, prior notification exemptions, pluriactivity rules or provisions relating to the construction sector and seafarers.
The EU Council, for its part, still has to define the minimum period of affiliation to a social insurance system before the country of employment becomes responsible for the cross-border worker to be compensated. The agreement now covers 22 weeks.
The dossier is not due to go back through the Committee of Permanent Representatives before the trilogue on 22 April. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)