
EESC Workers’ Group calls for EU-wide unemployment standards
Among EU Member States, differences in national unemployment benefit levels are huge.
Dr. Sch.-W. – 11/2019
The Workers’ Group within the European
Economic and Social Committee (EESC) promotes Europe-wide minimum standards for
unemployment benefits and active vocational reintegration. Not least the
“passive” wage-compensating benefits show large divergences between Member
States. In this context, Germany counts among those countries whose benefits
appear generous, but in turn are granted for a relatively short period of time.
To begin with, the European minimum
standards are to be developed and observed within the framework of the European
Semester. They will include the level of cover as well as the replacement rate
and the duration of unemployment benefits. As a result of the implementation of
country-specific recommendations often marked by a lack of ambition and
willpower, it is expected that mandatory minimum standards will sooner or later
become unavoidable.
This project should not be mixed up with
the European Unemployment Reinsurance Scheme announced by Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen. Such a scheme is meant to ensure a financial transfer of
resources to those countries hit by an economic shock. The question if the
unemployed will benefit directly or indirectly from such payments is not
covered by the forthcoming project. However, the only link to unemployment is
that unemployment or a sudden rise in unemployment will trigger transfer
payments.
The relevant “policy briefing” by the
Workers’ group can be downloaded here.