Mobility and recognition of qualifications

Mobility and recognition of qualifications

Securing mobility, meaning that all European citizens can chose to move and work in another European country is an important objective for EUROCADRES. Mobility should not be imposed and it is necessary to establish good conditions facilitating free choice. To this end, measures have to be taken in Europe in order to overcome the remaining practical and legal obstacles. We pay particular attention to the recognition of qualifications and diplomas, to the transferability of supplementary pension rights and to the access to information on available jobs and employment conditions in other countries.

The free movement of persons is one of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the European treaties. Its implementation, however, has lagged far behind the many steps taken for goods, capital and services. Progress towards the elimination of controls at internal borders has been stalled and the same applies to steps which should be taken to enable salaried employees to exercise their choice of mobility freely. Professionals and managers whom we represent are particularly concerned by this freedom, which is important for building Europe. But they are not alone. It is of great importance for workers who live near borders, and for all citizens in general. It is an important challenge in the acceding and applicant countries to the E.U. membership EUROCADRES is particularly concerned by two main areas and actively involved in their developments: Mutual recognition of qualifications and diplomas Transferability of supplementary pension rights In order to answer questions from mobile professional and managerial staff, EUROCADRES set up a network of trade union advisers from all European countries. Mobility statistics remain extremely vague. A relatively low percentage of persons working in a European Union country other than their country of origin is often cited. But that static view, at a given moment, is incomplete. To measure the number of people concerned, everyone who during his/her career has worked in another country must be taken into account. In that case the figure is much higher, probably twenty or thirty percent, or more. For a long time EUROCADRES has been putting forward proposals aimed at removing the numerous obstacles which prevent the mobility of people in Europe:
 The free movement of persons is one of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the European treaties. Its implementation, however, has lagged far behind the many steps taken for goods, capital and services. Progress towards the elimination of controls at internal borders has been stalled and the same applies to steps which should be taken to enable salaried employees to exercise their choice of mobility freely.
 In December 1995 the EUROCADRES General Assembly clearly established our priorities for action.
 In 1996 and 1997, we followed-up the work of a high level group on the free movement of persons. Its report was in March 1997, and EUROCADRES drew a first evaluation during its General Assembly in December 1997
 In 1998 EUROCADRES supported the adoption of a directive on transferability of supplementary pensions schemes and followed-up the process, launched by the Bologna declaration in 1999, aimed towards a European higher education area.
 The Portuguese Presidency (beginning 2001) then the Stockholm summit in spring 2001gave a new impetus to mobility issues.
 The conclusions of the EUROCADRES Congress in June 2001 highlighted the importance of our commitment on mobility.
 During the second half of 2001 our former Vice-President Mona Hemmer participated in the task-force on skills and mobility , which was followed by a Commission action plan published in February 2002 (see our comments ).
 In March 2003 EUROCADRES held a seminar in Budapest on

Mobility in Europe

Transferability of Supplementary Pensions EUROCADRES considers that safeguarding supplementary pensions rights of workers making use of their right to free movement is a very important issue.

Recognition of Qualifications & Diplomas EUROCADRES considers that mutual recognition is a key issue for qualifications and diplomas, whether they are obtained from education, further training or professional experience.