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This article investigates mandatory funded defined-contribution pension schemes of six new Member States of the European Union (Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Slovak Republic) in respect of the co-ordination of these schemes for persons moving within the Community. It considers how such schemes are coordinated and under which rules. It looks at the principal and practical implications. It argues that the existing legal dichotomy of statutory and supplementary pension schemes, upon which the Community co-ordination rules are established, is no longer functional. The article suggests that mandatory funded defined-contribution pension schemes should fall under the scope of Regulation 1408/71 (which is to be replaced by Regulation 883/2004), but simultaneously the schemes should be subject to Directive 98/49 and the new portability directive, once the latter is adopted. However, amendments are needed to all these Community instruments to make them suitable for the co-ordination of mandatory funded defined-contribution schemes.

Yur'yev A, Värnik A, Värnik P, Sisask M, Leppik L. Role of social welfare in European suicide preventionThe aims of this study were to assess the relationship between suicide mortality and social expenditure in 26 European countries, explore attitudes towards welfare systems and their relationship with suicide mortality, and compare attitudes towards welfare provision in Eastern and Western Europe. The World Health Organization suicide data and Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development social expenditure data for 1980–2005 were used. Data on attitudes towards welfare systems were taken from the European Social Survey. Differences between mean scores for attitudes in Western and Eastern European countries were calculated. Correlations between social expenditure and suicide trends were negative in most countries for both genders. Inverse correlations between attitudes towards welfare provision and suicide mortality rates were demonstrated for males only. Differences in attitudes were found between Eastern and Western European countries; for example, confidence in the welfare system was found to be stronger in Western Europe. Higher social expenditure and greater confidence in welfare provision appear to have suicide‐preventive effects.

Background: The present study attempted to assess the relationship between suicide mortality and employment status in Europe. Methods: Suicide trends were obtained from the World Health Organization, employment rates from the Conference Board Total Economy Database, and questions about citizens' attitudes towards employment from the European Social Survey. Correlations were analysed. Differences between mean scores for attitudes in Western and Eastern Europe were calculated. Results: Employment and suicide trends are negatively correlated in most countries. Suicide mortality is associated with unemployment risk and expectations of inadequate financial resources during unemployment, and negatively correlated with an assured high sdard of living for the unemployed. Suicide mortality and the degree of conviction that the government should ensure jobs for all are weakly correlated. Attitudes towards employment and unemployment in Eastern and Western Europe diverge. Conclusions: Changes in employment rates influence suicide mortality in many European countries. Factors that increase suicide mortality include lack of confidence in employment status and unemployed people's expectations of insufficient income and low living standards. Suicidal behaviour is more strongly related to attitudes linked with employment status among males than females. In Eastern Europe the status of being unemployed is feared more, and people rely more on the government.

Background: The current study is aimed to assess the relationship between the 'economic/employment' and 'social/welfare' dimensions of social exclusion and suicide mortality in Europe. Methods: Suicide rates for 26 countries were obtained from the WHO. Data on social expenditure were obtained from the OECD database. Employment rates and GDP were obtained from the Total Economy Database. Questions about citizens' attitudes towards different aspects of social exclusion were taken from the European Social Survey. Structural equation modelling was applied to research the theoretical structure of the variables. Results: All variables are statistically significant in male and female models except of the relationships between 'economic/employment' and 'social/welfare' dimensions and female suicides; and the relationship between 'employment rates' and 'economic/employment' dimension. Suicide mortality rates among both males and females are influenced negatively by 'economic/employment' and 'social/welfare' dimensions. Among females, the influence of 'social/welfare' dimension is stronger compared to the 'economic/employment' dimension. The remaining influence of GDP is positive in both models. Conclusions: Both 'economic/employment' and 'social/welfare' dimensions of social exclusion significantly influence suicide mortality among males. The influence of 'economic/employment' and 'social/welfare' dimensions of social exclusion on female suicide mortality is controversial. Social exclusion might be considered as a risk factor for suicide mortality in Europe.