EU shows caring face with new social proposals

The European Union unveiled a flurry of proposals today to beef up social protection across the bloc in a bid to counter accusations it is detached from the everyday worries of its citizens.

Three weeks after Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty reforming the EU, its executive arm proposed a "Renewed Social Agenda", a package of legislation on healthcare, the fight against discrimination and workers' rights.

"The right to equal treatment is fundamental, but millions of people in the EU continue to face discrimination in their everyday lives," EU Employment and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimir Spidla said in a statement.

The "No" vote camp in Ireland had portrayed the EU as distant, bureaucratic and incapable of protecting its citizens from the negative effects of globalisation while promoting liberal policies that benefit big companies.

The European Commission, the EU executive, has repeatedly rejected that view, portraying its social proposals as evidence that it cares for and protects its citizens.

Under its planned law, patients in the EU will be allowed to receive non-hospital treatment outside their home country without pre-approval from their doctor or health authority.

The patient's home healthcare service will have to pay the bill -- but only up to the amount the treatment would cost in the home state. When the cost of treatment is larger, the patient will foot the difference.

EU countries will be allowed to bar reimbursement for people receiving hospital treatment in another state. The Commission does not expect a flood of people crossing borders for treatment as most prefer going local.

The bill will now be scrutinised by the EU's 27 governments and the European Parliament, a process that may take months if not years.

Against discrimination

Another draft law seeks to stop discrimination outside work on grounds of age, sexual orientation, disability and religion or belief. Such discrimination at work is already illegal.

"There is an inequality in our legislation itself because people are protected from discrimination outside the workplace only on grounds of gender and race or ethnic origin. We must ensure equal treatment for all grounds," Spidla said.

The draft proposes setting up "Equality Bodies" in all member states to which a sufferer of discrimination could complain before pursuing a possible court action.

For example, a lettings agency could be sued in court if it denied an apartment to people because they were homosexual.

The proposal would not cover family law, so it would not try to legalise homosexual marriages. It would not try to change national measures that ensure the secular nature of their education system.

Some politicians, notably in Germany, have said the EU is seeking to intrude too much into national law with its anti-discrimination proposals.

The Commission also proposed to strengthen the role of pan-EU works councils in big multinational companies, a proposal much criticised by employers' groups, which fear it would slow corporate decision-making.

The EU executive also urged member states to offer better life opportunities to Roma people, who still suffer discrimination. More EU aid funds should be used to help the Roma, also known as gypsies, it said.