Territorial disputes: Northern Ireland (Part 13) [Post 98]

So far this week, the posts referred to European Union law and the concept of “worker”. The posts introduced key European Union treaty law articles and the interpretation of the concept of “worker” by the European Court of Justice. Today, the attention is on relevant secondary legislation.

 

Jobseekers moving to another Member State to look for work

A highly controversial issue that was one of the pillars of the Brexit campaign is the usual misunderstanding that anybody having European Union citizenship may move to any other Member State legally, seek for work and claim benefits. Is that so?

The sort answer, NO. It is not that easy. The long answer below. The relevant secondary legislation Directive 2004/38 refers to this very point. Some of the key articles below:

·       Union citizens have the right of residence in another Member State for up to 3 months without any conditions other than valid ID card/passport – Directive 2004/38 art. 6 (1).

·       Right also exercisable by third country national family member possessing passport under art.6 (2).

·       This right is exercisable provided the Union citizen/third country national family member not become unreasonable burden on social assistance system of M.S. – art. 14 (1).

·       Art.24 (2) leaves it to each Member State to decide whether it will grant social assistance to E.U. nationals and their families during first 3 months of residence.

 

The Rights of Jobseekers under art. 45 TFEU

 

Art. 45 TFEU would lose much of its effect if Union citizens were not entitled to move in order to seek work. Evidently, it would be more difficult to find employment abroad when in home Member State. However, how long may an individual remain in a Member State seeking for employment? The answer comes from judgments by the European Court of Justice.

Royer (48/75): a French national who was unemployed and entered Belgium seeking for work. The ECJ maintained that it is a right of nationals of Member States to look for or pursue employment/self-employment. This right is conferred by art. 45 TFEU (semi-status as worker).

Antonissen (C-292/89): a Belgian national arrived in the United Kingdom in 1984. He spent over 2 years since arrival looking for work unsuccessfully. He also spent time in prison for possession of cocaine. The Home Secretary decided to deport him in 1987. The ECJ held:

a) No Union time limit on job-seeking in another Member State

b) Six months is reasonable time limit to allow job-seeker to find employment but may be longer if person provides evidence that he/she is actively, persistently and seriously engaged in seeking employment and has genuine prospect of being employed.

 

Jorge Emilio Núñez

Twitter: @London1701

11th July 2018