Shielding free movement? Reciprocity in welfare institutions and opposition to EU labour immigration. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mårtensson, Moa; Österman, Marcus; Palme, Joakim; Ruhs, Martin
• Is Part Of: Journal of European public policy. Volume 30:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: European Union -- free movement -- public attitudes -- reciprocity -- social protection systems; European Union countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Political planning -- European Union countries -- Periodicals; Politique publique -- Pays de l'Union européenne -- Périodiques; Pays de l'Union européenne -- Politique et gouvernement -- Périodiques; 361.61094
• DOI: 10.1080/13501763.2021.1981980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1763

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Public attitudes towards the free movement of workers in the European Union vary substantially between countries and individuals. This paper adds to the small but growing research literature on this issue by analysing the role of national welfare institutions. We investigate the relationship between the degree of 'institutional reciprocity' in national systems of social protection and attitudes to EU labour immigration across 12 European countries. We do not find evidence of an effect of institutional reciprocity on opposition to EU labour immigration among the public at large. However, institutional reciprocity appears to matter for economically vulnerable groups. We identify an interaction effect indicating that higher degrees of institutional reciprocity in national social protection systems, and in unemployment insurance systems specifically, are associated with lower levels of opposition to EU labour immigration among unemployed people. Hence, reciprocity in welfare state institutions appears to shield free movement from opposition, at least among vulnerable groups.