Social security: unemployed persons

Whilst the Committee feels that the proposals are a substantial improvement on the existing arrangements for paying out benefits, it also feels that unemployment benefit should be viewed in the context of a dynamic policy for job creation. Moreover, the proposal's strict limits on extension seriously hinder job-seeking. The calculations for extending entitlement and the arrangements for benefit payment are exaggeratedly complex. The Committee feels that these procedures will be costly and cumbersome. As regards the technical procedure for benefit refunds, there are already several bilateral agreements on reciprocity or renunciation which make it easier to process claims; these could be used as an alternative approach. Concerning the case of unemployed frontier workers, the proposals could lead to abuse from several claims being made simultaneously. The Committee does not endorse the exemption granted to Luxembourg.�