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Social rights of EU mobile workers: limitations through the concepts of ‘worker’ and ‘insured person’

Author

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  • Éva Lukács Gellérné

    (Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary)

  • Tamás Gyulavári

    (Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

This article examines limitations on the social rights of mobile EU workers in EU law through the national definitions of ‘worker’ and ‘socially insured’ person. It analyses EU laws and judgments of the CJEU and provides a comparative analysis of the core elements of the concept of ‘worker’ and ‘insured person’ in national laws and potential advantages for mobile EU workers of their broad interpretation. We argue that the present narrowly interpreted terms overwhelmingly put mobile EU workers at a disadvantage, which might lead to indirect discrimination and non-compliance with the principle of proportionality, which are prohibited in EU law with regard to free movement. Mobile EU workers are hindered in becoming ‘workers’ and ‘insured persons’, but targeted collection and processing of statistical data could help them to assert their rights and to enjoy social entitlements, and to avoid being pressurised to accept poor wages and working conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:31:y:2025:i:1:p:55-70
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589251315852
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    4. Zoe Adams & Simon Deakin, 2014. "Institutional Solutions to Precariousness & Inequality in Labour Markets," Working Papers wp463, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
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