What is being negotiated?

The acquis under this chapter enables EU citizens of one Member State to work in another Member State. The so called EU migrant workers must be treated in the same way as national workers when it comes to working conditions, social and tax advantages. Freedom of movement for workers is one of the fundamental principles of the European Union and one of the four freedoms in the internal market. It is laid down in Article 45 of the TFEU and is a fundamental right of workers, complementing the free movement of goods, capital and services within the European single market. It entails the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment.

Moreover, this article stipulates that an EU worker has the right to accept a job offer made, to move freely within the country, to stay for the purpose of employment and to stay on afterwards under certain conditions.

General principles related to access to labour market provide for non-discriminatory treatment (on the basis of nationality, residence and language) of workers who are legally employed in a country other than their country of origin. Certain rights are also extended to family members of the worker. The general principle includes also provisions related to supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed persons moving within the Community. Member States also participate in the EURES system (European Employment Services) that enables close cooperation among national employment services to exchange information on employment opportunities. This acquis also includes a mechanism to coordinate national social security provisions for insured persons and their family members who are moving from one Member State to another.