Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-02-Speech-2-169"
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"en.20030902.7.2-169"2
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"Madam President, we have all of us said today that there is a sound basis for revising Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71. We all know people who have run into difficulties because they have taken up work in two different countries, and it is therefore crucial to emphasise that people have not, as a matter of simple fact, been given the right promised to them since the Common Market was founded. It is therefore quite natural that we should break down the barriers that exist.
On the other hand, we must also acknowledge that there is probably no regulation that has been more demonised than this one. Over the years, opponents of the EU in my own, and other, countries have used it to give people the impression that our social security would be harmonised, that we should be forced to change our social security systems or even that our national pension schemes would be abolished. I must of course deplore the fact that these people have not appeared in the House today to engage in this debate.
I should like to emphasise today that the Danish Social Democrats are not, in general, afraid of freedom of movement, and I certainly do not think that freedom of movement would undermine national social security arrangements, even if these would then apply to a wider circle of people. Neither practical experience nor calculations show that there would be hordes of people suddenly wanting to migrate.
On the other hand, I also think it important for us to understand that, if unintended consequences arise – if, for example, too many contributions leave the country or if social security arrangements are shamelessly exploited – then we should definitely not look passively on but take action straight away. This is emphasised by Amendments Nos 10 and 52, in which we say that our countries can establish bilateral contacts – of the kind with which we are already familiar – and that we must talk to each other if someone runs into difficulties. That would, of course, also prevent all forms of fraud.
It is important for the Commissioners also today to emphasise at least three things in addition to what has been said in the House: firstly, that there is no question of harmonisation; secondly, that we shall not accept any form of deterioration whatsoever and shall step in if we see the systems weakened; and, thirdly, that we shall not accept unintended consequences and fraud. A fourth thing also to emphasise, of course, is that we cannot accept, as a result of this proposal, any impairment of the schemes we already have.
I think that is very important. I do not myself believe that this will happen. I do not for a moment believe that migration will be on a sufficiently large scale. I do, however, believe it important for people to have this emphasised to them by the Commissioner responsible, and I should be delighted, Commissioner, if you could do this for us today."@en1
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