The European Commission has unveiled a new push to reinforce EU citizens’ rights with a series of actions to tackle obstacles that citizens still face in their everyday life.
The 2013 EU Citizenship Report sets out 12 concrete ways to help Europeans make better use of their EU rights, from looking for a job in another EU country to ensuring stronger participation in the democratic life of the Union.
Key proposals include making it easier for people to work and do training in another EU country, reducing excessive paperwork for EU citizens living and traveling in the EU and eliminating barriers to cross-border shopping.
According to a press release, during the European Year of Citizens the EU Citizenship Report is the Commission`s answer to the numerous calls from EU citizens who have shared problems they have experienced when travelling, moving to or shopping in another EU country.
“EU citizenship is the crown jewel of European integration. It is to Political Union what the euro is to our Economic and Monetary Union. Today`s Citizenship Report places EU citizens centre stage," said Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
“Ever since it was first included in the Treaties in 1993, EU citizenship has been evolving – but it is not yet mature: people still face obstacles exercising their rights in everyday life. We receive over 1 million enquiries every year from citizens on issues that relate to their rights. That is why today we are taking action to reinforce citizens’ rights in everyday situations, like looking for a job, shopping online or taking part in European decision-making.”
The Report includes 12 new actions in six areas to strengthen citizens` rights:
Removing obstacles for workers, students and trainees in the EU
by looking into extending the right of jobseekers to receive unemployment benefits from their home country while they are looking for a job in another EU member state beyond the current mandatory three months to increase the mobility of workers; and
by setting out a quality framework for traineeships that specifies the rights and obligations of the parties making sure that traineeships are not used as a form of `unpaid employment`
Cutting red tape in the Member States
by facilitating the acceptance of identity and residence documents when citizens want to travel or have to prove their identity in another EU country, including through optional uniform European documents that citizens could use in all EU countries; and
by making it easier to recognise roadworthiness certificates for cars cross-border in the EU
Protecting the more vulnerable in the EU
by developing an EU disability card to be mutually recognised across the EU making sure that the 80 million disabled people can also take advantage of the benefits that come with national cards (for example access to transport, tourism, culture and leisure) when exercising their right to free movement; and
by proposing a set of laws to further strengthen citizens` procedural rights, especially those of children and vulnerable citizens, when they are suspected or accused of a crime
Eliminating barriers to shopping in the EU
by improving rules to settle cross-border disputes over small amounts when buying products online or in another EU country; the European Small Claims procedure can help consumers get their money back swiftly; and
by working on an online tool that makes the purchase of digital products more transparent and that allows citizens to compare deals cross-border
Promoting the availability of targeted and accessible information about the EU
by making e-training tools available to local administrations and providing citizen-friendly information about who to turn to to solve their problems.
Strengthening citizens’ participation in the democratic process
by working on ways to enable EU citizens to keep their right to vote in national elections in their country of origin. The practice in some Member States of depriving their citizens of their right to vote once they move to another EU country effectively is tantamount to punishing citizens for having exercised their right to free movement.
