Since it has no powers to intervene in the domestic social security systems of its Member States, the European Union has “recommended” to the Member States to ensure that all workers have access to social protection. On 8 November, the Council definitively adopted a recommendation –\u00a0a non-binding legal instrument –\u00a0implementing Principle no. 12 of the European Pillar of Social Rights. This text states that \u201cregardless of the type and duration of their employment relationship, workers, and, under comparable conditions, the self-employed have the right to adequate social protection\u201d. The recommendation notes that \u201csome non-standard workers and some self-employed persons have insufficient access\u201d to social protection, which in the long run could \u201cput at risk the welfare and health of individuals\u201d, \u201ccontribute to increasing economic uncertainty, the risk of poverty and inequalities\u201d or \u201creduce trust in institutions\u201d.<\/p>\n
Member States should \u201cguarantee access to all branches (unemployment benefits; sickness and healthcare benefits; maternity and equivalent paternity benefits; invalidity benefits; old-age benefits and survivors\u2019 benefits; benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases)\u201d. Employees should enjoy mandatory cover against these risks, and the self-employed should have at least voluntary access. Member States are also recommended to ensure that \u201centitlements \u2013 whether they are acquired through mandatory or voluntary schemes \u2013 are preserved, accumulated and\/or transferable across all types of employment and self-employment statuses and across economic sectors, throughout the person\u2019s career or during a certain reference period and between different schemes within a given social protection branch\u201d.<\/p>\n
Member States have 18 months to implement these recommendations.<\/p>\n
(With IRShare)<\/p>\n