The defense committees of cross-border workers in Moselle and Luxembourg react to Unédic’s statements. The organization, which manages unemployment insurance, denounced the “additional cost” induced by compensation for cross-border workers.
Unédic, the unemployment insurance manager, denounced “the additional cost (803 million euros in 2023)” induced by compensation for cross-border workers and is calling for a renegotiation of agreements with neighboring countries.
The reaction of Arsène Schmitt and Philippe Manenti, presidents of the defense committees of cross-border workers in Moselle and Luxembourg, was not long in coming. In a joint press release, they return to their fight to ensure that cross-border workers remain compensated by their country of residence, France.
“In 2017, the European Commission wanted to change the regulation, which coordinates the Social Security systems of the countries of the European Union, recalls Arsène Schmitt. To avoid the problem of reimbursements between States, she wanted cross-border workers to be compensated by the country of activity, where unemployment contributions were paid. “We climbed onto the barricades! It has always been said, and it is stipulated in Community regulations, that the center of interest of cross-border workers is the country of residence.”
“Unédic returns to the charge”
The committees had increased their interventions in Brussels, Paris, Strasbourg, Bonn… before the European Commission, the Ministries of Labor and European Affairs, the European Parliament, pointing out the consequences of this project on unemployed cross-border workers. They should have registered with the employment agencies of Germany and Luxembourg, and in the event of a dispute, taken the matter to foreign courts.
“Training and retraining would have been almost impossible due to the language barrier. At the end of their career, older workers would have fallen into poverty and would no longer have continued rights until they obtained retirement.”
The project did not come to fruition, with around ten countries voting against it at the Council of Europe. “Since then, it’s been the status quo,” continues Arsène Schmitt. But now Unédic is returning to the charge.”
“First export company”
The committees criticize the arguments raised by Unédic. “Border work is the leading export business which brings roughly 7 billion euros in “currency” to France and brings life to the border areas. The €800 million does not weigh heavily in the balance…”
Bernard Hurreau, secretary general of the Moselle defense committee, is outraged by the statements of Jean-Eudes Tesson, president of Unédic. “The unemployed cross-border worker is not Club Med! By stigmatizing and declaring that unemployment insurance is not intended to pay pensions, we are accusing unemployed cross-border workers of living on unemployment insurance instead of actively looking for a job! Who can believe that they are exempt from research by France Travail?
For the committees, the States must agree on the financial compensation to be paid and their duration “and not highlight that we are costing the State money!” chokes Arsène Schmitt. It is not up to cross-border workers to suffer the consequences of a possible reform.”
Aurélie Klein
(Le Républicain Lorrain)
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