The challenge of intra-Union and in-migration to 'social Europe'

Abstract

This paper examines with particular reference to international migrants the contradictions between rhetoric and reality in eligibility to and the availability of health and welfare entitlements across the European Union. On the one hand, the Brussels Commissions laud the existence of a 'social Europe', which should exist as a logical extension of the promotion of the free movement of labour - a policy goal that is agreed by all member states. 'European citizenship' is a small step towards the derivative social policy goal. On the other hand, the member states will not cede control of social spending and specifically social security administration. Since the Maastricht summit, where the contradictions were made manifest, proposals to develop the social dimensions of European harmonisation have fissioned, with ever clearer divergence of the 'civic rights' and 'social rights' agenda, and the Commissions exploring new ways of promoting multilateral collaboration. Meanwhile, migrants within and into the EU continue to face 'structured disadvantage' in income protection and accessibility to health and social care, especially when retired or if sick, frail or disabled. The paper concludes with recommendations for the advocacy organisations that seek to end this structured disadvantage about the most likely ways in which policies can be changed.