Free Movement of Labour and European Welfare States - Are the two compatible?

For some time now, scholars have discussed the (in)compatibility between inclusive national welfare states and the free movement of labour beyond national borders. The on-going debate between EU member states over restricting some welfare benefits for EU workers raises the question whether the free movement of workers, one of the four basic freedoms enshrined in the EU Treaties, may be unsustainable.

Martin Ruhs, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, will present his research on the challenges of unrestricted labour mobility in the EU and equal access to national welfare benefits for all EU workers. He argues that the different national policy positions on free movement across EU member states may be influenced by the considerable variations across the EU in a) the regulation and flexibility of domestic labour markets, b) the contributory basis of the national welfare systems and c) perceived identities and the “feeling of being European”. Ruhs also raises broader questions about whether and how institutional variations across EU Member States affect common policies on mobility and migration.

Following Ruhs’ presentation, Fabian Lutz (European Commission, DG Home Affairs) will comment on the policy lessons that can be drawn from the results of his research.

This event is part of the "MEDAM seminars on migration", a series of events organised in the context of the “Mercator Dialogue on Asylum and Migration (MEDAM)”, a research project financed by the Stiftung Mercator.

Registration from 16.30 - Meeting from 17.00 to 18.30. A light cocktail will be served after the event from 18.30 to 19.30

Participation in this event is exceptionally free of charge.

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