Vol. 414 No. 5
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the welfare of migrant workers from within and without the EC was discussed at the recent meeting of Foreign Ministers in preparation for the Maastricht Summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The welfare of migrant workers was not discussed at the recent meeting of Foreign Ministers to prepare the European Council at Maastricht. The only provision of the new Treaty which is related to this subject is the proposal to give the European Parliament an increased role in processing of legislation on migrant workers from within the Community.
The rights of Community migrant workers are guaranteed by the EC Treaty and by a series of Council Regulations which provide them with social security rights, such as health and pension benefits and the transferability of these rights within the territory of the Community.
The welfare of migrant workers from without the Community is a matter for each member state to regulate. In Ireland a migrant worker who pays PRSI is entitled to full social welfare benefits on the same basis as an Irish person.
The Community has made clear its abhorrence of discrimination against migrants whether from the Community itself or from third countries. In 1986 the Council, the Parliament and the Commission jointly adopted a declaration against racism and xenophobia. This declaration has been attached to the basic texts governing the Community. In the course of its meeting this week, the European Council reaffirmed this declaration. The Heads of State and Government also reaffirmed their revulsion against all aspects of racism and xenophobia including in particular expressions of prejudice and violence against foreign immigrants. In doing this they were restating the condemnation which was adopted in Dublin at the European Council in June of last year.
