Doc. 9298

18 December 2001

The future of social security in Europe

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Evin and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Social security systems, which include both general and occupational schemes paying benefits in certain contingencies (sickness, incapacity for work, maternity, unemployment, old age, etc.) are increasingly being called into question. Some consider social security to be too expensive, adding to the costs of production and thereby undermining economic growth and international competitiveness. Some argue that social security systems should be more efficiently administered. Others consider that social security protection is more essential than ever in an era of labour insecurity and globalisation, and that its coverage should be strengthened and extended.

2.       At its 89^th Session in June 2001, the International Labour Conference, rightly regarding social security as a basic human right and an important means for creating social cohesion, concluded, among other things, that governments should give higher priority to social security and that it was time “for a renewed campaign by the ILO to improve and extend social security coverage to all those in need of such protection”.

3.       The Parliamentary Assembly fully endorses these conclusions, recalling that they correspond to the principles and objectives enshrined in the Council of Europe’s social instruments, in particular the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security.

4.       The Parliamentary Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       support and work closely with the ILO in promoting its social security campaign;

ii.       examine how the Council of Europe’s social instruments and their implementation can be further strengthened with a view to improving and extending social security coverage in Europe.

Signed : ¹

Evin, France, SOC

Alís Font, Andorra, SOC

Belohorska, Slovakia, EDG

Biga-Friganovic, Croatia, SOC

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Cesário, Portugal, EPP/CD

Cox, United Kingdom, SOC

Dees, Netherlands, LDR

Flynn, United Kingdom, SOC

Gönül, Turkey, EPP/CD

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Kiely, Ireland, LDR

Padilla, Spain, EPP/CD

Poty, Belgium, SOC

Provera, Italy, LDR

Rigoni, Italy, EPP/CD

Timmermans J., Belgium, SOC

Tudose, Romania, SOC

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group