WRITTEN QUESTION E-0055/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Minimum age for unemployment benefit and gradual reduction of the amount

Although the State cannot guarantee full employment, the obligation on the individual to work for the common good is not always sufficiently emphasised.

In some EU Member States unemployment benefit is gradually reduced if a person does not accept an appropriate job. Furthermore, benefits only go to people of a certain age (generally from 25).

Is harmonisation in this matter being considered? Does the Commission believe such consideration to be worthwhile and does it intend to introduce such a policy?

Could the Commission say what the nature of the future common policy on unemployment will be and what common measures are to be introduced?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2002)

The employment guidelines(1) contain policy orientations for all Member States in the framework of the European employment strategy implemented through the Luxembourg process. Member States are invited to take into account these guidelines in formulating their national employment policies. This framework includes guidelines addressing the reform of tax-benefit systems to make them more employment friendly by providing incentives to make work pay. In implementing tax-benefit system reform, particular attention should be paid in promoting incentives for unemployed or inactive people to seek and take up work. Moreover, the Lisbon European Council (23 and 24 March 2000) emphasised the need to improve the employment and training effects of tax-benefit systems; whilst the recent report on labour force participation and ageing(2), requested by the Stockholm European Council (23 and 24 March 2001), calls for special attention to be paid with the view to reducing disincentives in tax and benefit systems for men and women to take up jobs.

The Guidelines also provide for the implementation of preventive measures to combat youth and long-term unemployment. Emphasis is placed on the reintegration of the long-term unemployed based on an individualised services approach. This is carried out mainly through the public employment services combining different types of support, such as individual interviews, a diagnosis of the individual's problems and needs, job-search assistance (including counselling and guidance), placement in job (subsidised or not) and promotion of access to training.

Within this framework, the responsibility for specific measures undertaken in implementing the relevant guidelines lies entirely with the individual Member States. Provisions for minimum age for unemployment benefits and gradual reductions in the amounts thereof are addressed by national labour market policies and the Commission has no intention of harmonising such provisions. Some progress has been made in reforming tax and benefit systems, although only a few Member States so far are implementing comprehensive reforms. On the other hand, significant progress has been made in promoting preventative and active labour market measures towards combating unemployment and promoting labour market integration.

(1) Council Decision on Guidelines for Member States' employment policies for the year 2002/23-01-2002. Annual edition since 1998.

(2) Report on Increasing labour force participation and promoting active ageing, COM(2002) 9 final.