Brussels, 07/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The mobility of workers and students was the theme most often raised by users, is the conclusion reached by Europe Direct, the European Commission free information service, which provides a direct line of communication between the European Union and its citizens (0800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or http: //europa.eu.int/europedirect/). In 2005, the number of questions on mobility put to Europe Direct exceeded the number of requests on all other themes accounting for 25% of all questions registered. Given the pressure of globalisation and the possibilities provided by economic restructuring in Europe, the flexibility of the European labour market should increase, which gives rise to growing interest among citizens. “The question of mobility is very present in the minds of European citizens and this is why the European Commission proclaimed that 2006 was the European Year of Worker Mobility”, Europe Direct says. In particular, the European information service notes that: - the problems of borders is the theme most often tackled (how to travel, work and study in another EU country); - many wish to know more about the new European Charter on air passenger rights which took effect in February 2005; - when it comes to working in another Member State, the theme most often tackled is the free movement of persons, followed by matters such as social security systems and pensions or the right to work; - on studying abroad, the most frequent questions raised are on programmes for education or training aids as well as on recognition of diplomas.
Worker mobility will be the theme of a conference organised by the Commission in Brussels on 20 and 21 February. Also, the Commission is to publish, on Wednesday, its report on the results of the first year of the transition period concerning the free movement of workers after EU enlargement in May 2004 (see EUROPE 9112 and 9125).