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The uncertain social insurance of intra-EU mobile construction workers

Author

Listed:
  • Nathan Lillie

    (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Katarzyna Kärkkäinen

    (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Elif Naz Kayran

    (European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, Austria)

Abstract

Freedom of movement in the EU is much more developed in terms of economic freedoms than in terms of social and welfare policies. Social insurance arrangements for mobile workers are handled within a reciprocity-based regulatory framework. This article analyses the intra-EU social insurance system from the point of view of highly mobile construction workers. Under the relevant legislation, these workers should receive social insurance either from their home country, if posted by their employer, or from the host country, if moving individually. The article shows, however, that employers often undermine the system to save on labour costs. For those in a weak labour market position, social insurance is unavailable, while those from wealthier welfare states rely on home-country social insurance, and those who are able to, negotiate and navigate complex systems themselves. Consequently, those most in need of social insurance are least able to access it.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathan Lillie & Katarzyna Kärkkäinen & Elif Naz Kayran, 2025. "The uncertain social insurance of intra-EU mobile construction workers," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 25-39, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:31:y:2025:i:1:p:25-39
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589251315851
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Henriet Baas, 2025. "Challenging ‘migration exceptionalism’ in EU anti-discrimination law: enhancing equal access to social rights for third-country national workers," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 71-87, February.
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    5. Amelie F. Constant & Annabelle Krause & Ulf Rinne & Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2017. "Reservation wages of first- and second-generation migrants," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(13), pages 945-949, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Éva Lukács Gellérné & Tamás Gyulavári, 2025. "Social rights of EU mobile workers: limitations through the concepts of ‘worker’ and ‘insured person’," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 55-70, February.
    2. Xu, Ying & Chen, Xinya, 2025. "How does the social insurance law affect enterprises' business credit?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    3. Nathan Lillie & Markku Sippola, 2025. "Introduction to special issue: Access of mobile workers to social rights in the pan-European labour market," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 15-24, February.
    4. Henriet Baas, 2025. "Challenging ‘migration exceptionalism’ in EU anti-discrimination law: enhancing equal access to social rights for third-country national workers," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 71-87, February.
    5. Mijke Houwerzijl & Imke van Gardingen, 2025. "Strengthening the rights of posted third-country nationals in their EU Member State of residence and employment," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 89-103, February.
    6. Ines Wagner & Karen Jaehrling & Aurora Trif & Devi Sacchetto & Jan Czarzasty, 2025. "Navigating cross-border labour mobility and employment security in European shipbuilding: lessons from the COVID-19 crisis," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(1), pages 41-54, February.

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