Reactions on child benefits decision

The European Commission says the measure affecting the benefits of children of EU citizens in Austria is in breach of community legislation

Daniela Budu, 08.01.2019, 13:19

The European Commission
has reacted following Austria’s decision to slash the benefits for children
currently not residing in Austria and whose parents are working in this
country, depending on the average living costs in their country of origin. The
Commission claims the measure is in breach of community legislation and said it
would closely analyze the law passed by the Austrian Parliament. The European
Commission says that, in principle, adjusting child benefits is not allowed and
could be seen as discriminatory for people who actually contribute to national
security schemes and expect to receive the same benefits, irrespective of
nationality or where their children are at present. Statistics show some 14
thousand Romanian children will be affected by the new law which will slash
their benefits to half. Bucharest authorities have also argued against the
measure which they deem discriminatory. Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said
the Government is considering the possibility of referring the matter to the
European Court of Justice, claiming the law violates the EU Treaty. In turn,
Labor Minister Marius Budai told Radio Romania that foreign workers should
receive equal treatment in any member state where they are conducting their
activity, their right to free movement being one of the fundamental principles
underlying the Union and the single market. Marius Budai:

We believe that equal
contributions should bring equal benefits. Romanians working in Austria pay the
same contributions as Austrians. We will discuss the matter at the level of the
European Commission and consider the measures and actions that need taking.
Since the law was passed on October 25, 2018 we have addressed a letter to the
Austrian Parliament expressing our disapproval and held talks with Commissioner
Marianne Thyssen to see the measures we will be taking over the coming period.
It’s clear to me we need to defend the rights of Romanians living in Austria
whose children are currently in Romania.

The Ministry for
Romanians Worldwide has in turn announced it has given special priority to this
issue, highlighting the fact that the law does not affect Romanian citizens
alone, but the EU as a whole. To this end, as part of the meetings the Ministry
will be organizing as part of Romania’s Presidency of the Council of the
European Union, the agenda for talks will also include the Austrian
Parliament’s decision to slash child benefits.