A provisional agreement on modernised rules to coordinate national social security systems was reached between negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council on Wednesday. The new rules focus on facilitating labour mobility within the EU, while safeguarding workers’ social rights in cross-border situations.

If confirmed, the provisional agreement would update EU rules for unemployment benefits for mobile workers and for the export of unemployment benefits for jobseekers moving to another EU country. It would also clarify rules regarding long-term care and family benefits, and strengthen rules on the coordination and enforcement of social security for posted workers (i.e. sent by their employer to work in another EU country temporarily).

The text also tries to ensure a more equitable distribution of financial burden among EU-countries and provides for strengthened measures to identify and tackle fraud, such as letterbox companies.

Member states would also be able to…