Sógor: Fundamental rights related to the freedom of movement should be respected
The European Parliament (EP) held a debate about the freedom of movement of EU workers during its plenary session from Strasbourg of 15 January and adopted a resolution on the issue the next day. RMDSZ MEP Csaba Sógor made a statement regarding the matter, saying that while abuses of freedom of movement should be prevented, we should bear in mind that social systems were created to help workers in difficult situations.
“There seems to be a constant misunderstanding when it comes to discussing the fundamental right of free movement. No one questions that one of the most basic rights of EU citizens is to freely choose which member state they want to live and work in. But lately there are more and more people expressing their reluctance to welcome certain social groups into their countries. No one wants to squeeze out programmers, doctors or managers from the European labour market, only those manual labour seekers, who have fewer possibilities on the job market, and sometimes depend on social welfare”, declared the Transylvanian MEP.
Csaba Sógor said that abuses should of course be dealt with, but at the same time we should bear in mind that social systems are meant to help the unemployed. “It is not an error of the system, if these benefits are also sought by citizens of other member states” – said the MEP.
As of January the 1st, work seekers form Romania and Bulgaria are free to take on jobs anywhere in the European Union. Meanwhile a loud debate started to unfold between London and Brussels regarding social services provided for EU workers. The governing coalition lead by the Conservative Party, and PM David Cameron personally, started to voice concerns even before January the 1st, regarding London’s need for a new regulation of the free movement of labour within the Union.
