How do we define 'WORKER' in the European Union

• Author: Pop Mihaela
• Position: Senior Lecturer, PhD, 'Vasile Goldis' Western University of Arad, Faculty of Law, Romania
• Pages: 196-201

European Integration - Realities and Perspectives

2012

196

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How do we define „WORKER” in the European Union

Pop Mihaela

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Abstract: The citizens who exercise their right of free movement are protected by the dispositions of

European Union regarding coordination of social security. A person can travel betw een c ountries from

European Union in order to search for a job, according his qualification and his studies. Free movement is a

means of creating a European employment market and of establishing a more fl exible and more efficient

labor market, to the benefit of workers, employers and Member States. It is common ground that labor

mobility allows individuals to improve their job prospects and allows employers to recruit the people they

need. It is an importa nt element in achieving efficient labor markets and a high level of employment. We can

say that Romania is a country of migrants. According to official government estimates are about 3 million

Romanian workers in EU countries. I followed that this article to ensure an efficient and accurate information

on the term "worker" and the possibilities for labor migration in EU countries in accordance with the

principle of freedom of movement. A novelty of this article is represented by comment on various

approaches, nuances and connotations that were associated with the concept of "worker" by different authors.

Keywords: worker; labor market; work relationship; free circulation; social security

Introduction

The European Union is based on principles such as: liberty, democracy, civil rights and basic freedom,

as well as obeying the principal of the state governed by law.

Having a job and a complete workforce are basic elements with a view to guaranteeing equal chances

for all people and also contributes to fully participating of the citizens in the cultural, social and

economic life.

Any citizen of a UE state has the right to look for a working place in other state witch is member of

EU and benefits from same services as the citizens of the host member state from behalf of the

national agencies of workforce. The UE legislation regarding the workforce guarantees the minimum

level of protection which applies to all persons who live and work in the European Union.

1. Consideration Regarding the Concept of “Worker”

According to the art. 39 (2) from the European Community Treaty, related to the free circulation it is

stipulated that any citizenship discrimination is forbidden, among the workers of the member states,

regarding the employment, salary and other working conditions.

The European law norms do not define the term “worker”; however, the European Community Treaty

consists of some elements which can lead to the clarifying of the nations such as: employment,

workplace, salary/income and working conditions.

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Senior Lecturer, PhD, “Vasile G oldi” Western University of Arad, Faculty of Law, Roman ia. Corresponding

author: mihaelapop.m@gmail.com.