As Spain embarks on a review of some of its social security policies, the issue of social protection for people suffering from sickness or disability has emerged as an important theme.

Host Country : Spain

Place and date : Madrid, 4. - 5.2.2010

Peer countries : France - Lithuania - Luxembourg - Malta - Netherlands - Poland - Romania - Sweden - United Kingdom

Stakeholders : AGE, EPR

Many Member States have addressed the same issue in recent years but it remains firmly on the policy agenda. Efforts to reform incapacity schemes, therefore, are still concerned to find the best means of defining permanent incapacity or incapacity for work, of preventing abuse and the costs associated with this and of designing activation measures to help people with disabilities into employment. On the one hand, it is important to ensure that people who really need income and other support are able to receive it; on the other hand, it is equally important that those who are able to work are not forced into an early exit from the labour market.  Moreover, the current economic crisis adds a new dimension to consider.

The Peer Review will provide a valuable opportunity to share recent national experience in this area and to assess the outcomes of some of the policies that have been implemented.

Peer Review manager

Ms Renate Haupfleisch (ÖSB Consulting GmbH)