Introduction to European social security law, 3rd ed.

Book abstract:

The imminent expansion of the EU with the accession of candidate members from the Central and Eastern European Countries has raised concerns about the perceived potential abuse of social security benefits, as individuals from the new Member States enjoy free movement across the EU. This work examines the situation in the context of the restrictions or impedance to that free movement of labour.

The book describes EU social security law and begins with the rules applying to migrant workers in part one, 'Coordination', which comprises the major part of the work. A founding principle of the EEC was the promotion of the freedom of movement of workers, not only as an individual right of freedom but also as a contributor to economic development allowing for the optimal deployment of labour. The author provides analysis of the contribution made by judgments in the Court of Justice and by Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 to the development of co-ordination law.

The second part of the book deals with 'Harmonisation', which means all the international rules that have as an objective or requirement making states adjust their national law to these rules. It covers the degree of harmonisation to which Member States are obliged to adjust their national rules and explains the relationship between harmonisation and coordination. It provides insights into the prospects for a Social Europe and explores the law on equal treatment of men and women, which has been a particularly active part of EU social security law.

The book will interest scholars, students, policy researchers and practitioners in the fields of social sciences, employment law and equal rights issues.

Frans Pennings is Professor of European and Comparative Social Security Law at Utrecht University and Associate Professor of Labour Law and Social Security Law at Tilburg University, the Netherlands.