Doc. 9443

7 May 2002

Rights of elderly migrants

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Aguiar and others

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

1.       There were massive migration flows in western Europe during the economic boom of the 1960s until the oil crisis of 1973–1974. A large number of immigrants managed to integrate successfully as a result of family reunion which was made easier in the following decade.

2.       The majority of these immigrants are today retired or preparing to retire. Amongst them are some who, because they did not have the relevant information or were unfamiliar with the local social security schemes, were too late in applying for a pension and now receive only minimum subsidies.

3.       In addition, there is a real danger that they are suffering from discrimination in gaining access to retirement homes, either very directly or, more often, through lack of information.

4.       There are also worrying cases of poverty and abandonment of Europeans who moved to other continents in the same period – the second half of the 20^th century. In several countries, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Asia, they have become integrated into states where there are no social security schemes providing assistance comparable to what they could be entitled to in their own country.

5.       Accordingly, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       carry out a study of these situations with a view to optimising information campaigns on aid schemes in the host countries and countries of origin, and also on associations active in the social sphere, and look into practical solutions offering assistance and solidarity;

ii.       call on European countries to consider setting up specific programmes to support

their citizens who do not receive minimum pensions and medical assistance abroad.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP

Agudo, Spain, SOC

Billing, Sweden, EPP

Bušić, Croatia, EPP

Gatterer, Austria, EPP

Iwiński, Poland, SOC

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Lekberg, Sweden, SOC

López González, Spain, SOC

Marty, Switzerland, LDR

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

Torrado, Spain, SOC

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, EPP

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: 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