Labour Minister Acknowledges Concerns of Cross-Border Workers from France

On Wednesday 13 June 2018, Luxembourg's Minister for Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Nicolas Schmit, met with representatives of cross-border workers from France on the proposal of the European Commission to amend Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems.

The delegation from France represented le Comité de défense et d’initiatives des frontaliers au Luxembourg (Committee for the Defense and Initiatives of Border Crossers in Luxembourg) and la Comité de défense des travailleurs frontaliers de la Moselle (Committee for the Defense of Frontier Workers of the Moselle), accompanied by Luxembourg MEP Georges Engel, Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Employment and Social Security of the Chamber of Deputies.

The meeting was called to discuss the consequences of the European Commission's proposal concerning the coordination of social security systems and, more particularly, the revision of the rules applicable to unemployment benefits.

It was found that the views expressed by the representatives of frontier workers and the position upheld by Luxembourg were broad. The Minister took note of the positions / grievances expressed about a possible change in the system of payment of unemployment benefits and the monitoring of cross-border job-seekers. Representatives emphasised that, for cross-border workers, the real focus remains the country of residence. They also noted that the system proposed by the European Commission has a strong potential to undermine the free movement and social protection of the workers concerned.

The Minister assured the representatives of the cross-border workers of his full support and commitment to oppose the proposal in a constructive and fair manner.