CROATIAN ADJUSTMENT TO THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR WORKERS AND ITS EFFECT IN THE PERIOD AFTER ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Freedom of Movement for Workers in the European Union is one of the most attractive topics during the accession of new states to the membership of the European Union. Free movement of workers allows citizens of the Member States to look for new and better working conditions within the borders of the European Union. Free movement of workers was the subject of the second chapter of the accession negotiations between Croatia and the European Union. To enable not only its own citizens, but also the citizens of other EU Member States to move freely, Croatia had to adjust relevant legislation and tailor the governing systems in the state. The changes that were necessary within the Croatian legislation in order to fully align it with the acquis were connected to non-discrimination policies towards migrant workers. It was necessary to put in effort towards changing and adapting legislation and developing administrative abilities for coordination of social security systems. In addition, it was necessary to join the EURES network and introduce European Health Insurance Card. The government bodies in charge of supervising the free movement of workers in the sense of the social security are the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, the Croatian Health Insurance Fund and the Croatian Employment Service.