Brussels, 23/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 April in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted (codecision, second reading - 645 votes to 13 and 18 abstentions) the report by Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK) on the regulation aimed at improving coordination of social security systems for citizens that work or travel crossborder within the EU. The text adopted defines procedures for application of the rules contained in the basic regulations (Regulation 883/2004). It covers all stakeholders, namely persons insured, employers, social security institutions and the competent authorities of member states.
Welcoming the vote by the EP, Jean Lambert told the plenary: “The regulation will help ensure that social security does its job effectively when EU citizens move freely within Europe for work, study or leisure”. She also welcomed the fact that “quicker and more efficient electronic cooperation should now become the norm. Parliament has strengthened guarantees of data protection when doing so”.
The Parliament also adopted by 633 votes in favour, 13 against and 18 abstentions the report by Jan Cremers (PES, NL) on the content of annexes to the basic regulation, annexes which refer to specific national attributes that must be taken into account. The Parliament considers the source of difficulty lies in Annex III, as the latter comprises a list of member states that apply a restriction on the right to benefits by family members of a border worker, an EP press release points out. The compromise reached with the Council aims to ensure that the list of Annex III member states is reviewed every 5 years from the date when the regulation takes effect. A report from the administrative committee on social security will then establish the frequency, the scope and the cost of Annex III. (G.B./transl.jl)