European parliamentary assistants: application of social security schemes

PURPOSE : to amend Council Regulation 1408/71 for the benefit of European parliamentary assistants. CONTENT : The social security arrangements pertaining to European parliamentary assistants is governed by the competent law of the Member States, within the meaning of Council Regulation 1408/71 and Council Regulation 574/72. Given the wide range of possible situations and the specific nature of the tasks of Parliamentary assistants working for one or more MEPs, determination of the social security legislation applicable to them has created a lack of certainty and practical difficulties in arranging for their social cover. In order to remedy this, the draft proposal introduces a right of option regarding the social security legislation applicable to them. This right of option is limited to employed assistants alone. Assistants may opt for one of the following: - the legislation of the Member State where they pursue their activity as an employed person; - the legislation of the Member State to which they were last subject. - the legislation of the Member State of which they are nationals. The draft proposal provides for transitional arrangements. The right of option takes effect only once. Other activities pursued are also subject to the legislation of the Member State for which they have opted. �