Social protection: third-country nationals not covered due to their nationality (ext. Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72)

The committee adopted the report by Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN (EPP-ED, NL) approving the proposal, subject to a few minor amendments (consultation procedure). In particular, the committee wanted to allow a four-year deadline, rather than the proposed two-year deadline, for nationals of third countries to lodge a request to have a benefit awarded or resumed or to have their pension rights reviewed. It pointed out that those who would make use of the opportunity to lodge a request were people who might not know the language of the country or be sufficiently familiar with the administrative procedures involved, and that a two-year deadline would therefore not be long enough for this group of people. �