Other meetings
New complaint concerning the Czech Republic
The complaint was registered on 19 March 2025. It relates to Articles 11§§1 and 3 (the right to protection of health), 14§§1 and 2 (the right to benefit from social welfare services) and 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection) of the 1961 Charter read alone as well...
New registered complaint concerning Italy
The complaint was registered on 11 March 2025. It concerns Article 31 (the right to housing) and Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with this provision of the Revised European Social Charter. The complaint relates to the imminent forced eviction of Roma families in Giugliano, a...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 347th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 347th session (17-21 March 2025): The decision on admissibility and immediate measures in International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) v. France, Complaint No. 240/2024 The complaint was registered on 18 March 2024. It...
The decision on the merits in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 203/2021, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 203/2021, became public on 19 March 2025. This complaint, concerning the lack of affordable housing for low-income and...
The decision on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 195/2020, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 195/2020, became public on 15 February 2025. In its complaint, ERRC alleged that, in the context of police operations carried out by the Belgian police on 4 and 5 April...
The decision on the merits in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 191/2020, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 191/2020, became public on 24 January 2025. In its complaint, FEANTSA alleged that the legislation, policy and...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 345th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 345th session (2-6 December 2024): The decision on admissibility in Confederazione Unitaria di Base (CUB) v. Italy, Complaint No. 234/2024 The complaint was registered on 2 January 2024. It relates to Articles 1 (the right to...
New recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation on 27 November 2024 at the 1513rd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2024)44, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 20 March 2024 by the European Committee on Social Rights in...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 17 October 2024. It relates to Articles 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 17 (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection), 19 (the right of migrant workers and their families to protection...
New recommendation and resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation and resolution on 23 October 2024 at the 1510th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2024)43, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 18 October 2023 by the European ommittee on...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 344th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 344th session (14-18 October 2024): The decision on admissibility in Confederación Intersindical Galega (CIG) v. Spain, Complaint No. 231/2023 The complaint was registered on 6 June 2023. It relates to Article 4§1 (the right to a...
The decision on the merits in Syndicat des Agrégés de l’Enseignement Supérieur (SAGES) v. France, Complaint No. 211/2022, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Syndicat des Agrégés de l’Enseignement Supérieur (SAGES) v. France, Complaint No. 211/2022, became public on 15 October 2024. In its complaint, the complainant organisation alleged that French legislation (Article L...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 343rd session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 343rd session (9-13 September 2024): • The decision on admissibility in Federación de Servicios a la Ciudadanía de Comisiones Obreras Región de Murcia (FSC-CCOO) v. Spain, Complaint No. 229/2023 The complaint was registered on...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 342nd session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 342nd session (1-3 July 2024) in Vilnius: • The decision on admissibility in European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC), Centrale Générale des Syndicats Libéraux de Belgique (CGSLB), Confédération des Syndicats chrétiens de...
The decision on the merits in Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) v. Spain, Complaint No. 207/2022, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) v. Spain, Complaint No. 207/2022, became public on 29 July 2024. In its complaint, UGT alleged the situation in Spain constitutes a violation of Article 24 (the right to protection...
The decision on the merits in European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) and National Federation of Christian Trade Unions (CNV) v. the Netherlands, Complaint No. 201/2021, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) and National Federation of Christian Trade Unions (CNV) v. the Netherlands, Complaint No. 201/2021, became public on 23 July 2024....
New registered complaint concerning Greece
The complaint was registered on 1 July 2024. It relates to Articles 1§2 (the right to work), 11 (the right to protection of health), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 31 (the right to housing)...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 4 June 2024. It relates to Articles 1 (the right to work), 7 (the right of children and young persons to protection), 13 (the right to social and medical assistance), 15 (the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 341st session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 341st session (13-17 May 2024): • The decision on admissibility in International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and International Movement ATD - Fourth World v. Belgium, Complaint No. 233/2023 The complaint was registered on...
The decision on the merits in Amnesty International. v. Italy, Complaint No. 178/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Amnesty International. v. Italy, Complaint No. 178/2019, became public on 13 May 2024. In its complaint, Amnesty International alleged that Roma in Italy continue to suffer widespread and systematic violations of...
The decision on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 190/2020, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 190/2020, became public on 20 April 2024. In its complaint, ERRC alleged that by failing in their duty to collect and analyse data on the ethnicity...
New resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following resolution on 10 April 2024 at the 1495th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Resolution CM/ResChS(2024)2, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 17 October 2023 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case...
The decision on the merits in Sindacato autonomo Pensionati Or.S.A. v. Italy, Complaint No. 187/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Sindacato autonomo Pensionati Or.S.A. v. Italy, Complaint No. 187/2019, became public on 9 April 2024. In its complaint, Sindacato autonomo Pensionati Or.S.A. alleged that the provisions introduced by Article 1(41) of...
New registered complaint concerning France
The complaint was registered on 18 March 2024. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 17§1 (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) and 31 (the right to housing) as...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 12 March 2024. It relates to Articles 17§1a (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 12§3 (the rightto social security) , 27§1 (the right of workers...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 340th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 340th session (18-22 March 2024): The decision on admissibility in Comisiones Obreras de Castilla y León (CCOO CyL) and Unión General de Trabajadores de Castilla y León (UGT CyL) v. Spain, Complaint No. 228/2023 The complaint...
Exchange with Irish authorities on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Ireland
The Department of Social Rights of the Council of Europe organised, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a meeting with the Department of Social Protection of Ireland on 22 February 2024 in Dublin. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the application of the European...
New recommendation and resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation and resolution on 14 February 2024 at the 1489th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2024)1, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 4 July 2023 by the European Committee on...
The decision on the merits in Union Syndicale Solidaires SDIS v. France, Complaint No. 176/2019 and Union Syndicale Solidaires SDIS v. France, Complaint No. 193/2020, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Union Syndicale Solidaires SDIS v. France, Complaints No. 176/2019 and No. 193/2020 became public on 14 February 2024. In its two complaints, Union Syndicale Solidaires SDIS (SUD SDIS) alleged that the lack of...
New registered complaint concerning Belgium
The complaint was registered on 6 February 2024. It relates to Article 6§2 (the right to collective bargaining) of the revised European Social Charter. The complainant organisations allege that the 1996 Wage Law and its 2017 amendments, which allow the Government to impose in advance a maximum...
New registered complaint concerning Italy
The complaint was registered on 12 January 2024. It relates to Articles 1§§1 and 2 (the right to work), 4§§1 and 4 (the right to a fair remuneration) and 6§4 (the rights to collective bargaining). The complainant union alleges that the Ministry of Education applies a difference in treatment in...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 339th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 339th session (22-26 January 2024): The decision on admissibility in Fédération SUD Santé Sociaux v. France, Complaint No. 226/2023 The complaint was registered on 6 June 2023. It relates to Articles 4 (right to a fair...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 9 January 2024. It relates to Article 4§2 (the right to a fair remuneration) and Article E (non-discrimination) of the revised European Social Charter. UGT alleges that the Spanish legislation on remuneration for overtime work in Spain violates Article 4§2 of the...
New registered complaint concerning Italy
The complaint was registered on 2 January 2024. It relates to Articles 1 (the right to work), 4 (the right to a fair remuneration), 12 (the right to social security) and 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) of the revised European Social Charter. CUB alleges that...
New resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following resolutions on 13 December 2023 at the 1484th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Resolution CM/ResChS(2023)9, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 5 July 2023 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 338th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 338th session (4-8 December 2023): The decision on admissibility in Unión Federal de Policía (UFP) v. Spain, Complaint No. 225/2023 The complaint was registered on 30 May 2023. It relates to Article 6§4 (the right to bargain...
The decision on the merits in Associação Sindical dos Profissionais da Polícia (ASPP/PSP) v. Portugal, Complaint No. 179/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Associação Sindical dos Profissionais da Polícia (ASPP/PSP) v. Portugal, Complaint No. 179/2019 became public on 18 December 2023. In its complaint, ASPP/PSP alleged that the exercise of the right to organise and the...
New registered complaint concerning Belgium
The complaint was registered on 1 December 2023. It relates to Articles 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) and Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with each of the relevant provisions...
New registered complaint concerning Italy
Associazione Nazionale per l'lndustria e il Terziario (A.N.P.I.T.) and Confederazione Italiana Sindacati Autonomi Lavoratori (C.I.S.A.L.) v. Italy, Complaint No. 232/2023 (Italian only -translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 13 November 2023. It concerns Articles 5 (the right to...
Seminar on international levers and local implementation of active ageing rights
The University of Turin is organising a seminar on international levers and local implementation of active ageing rights on 8 November 2023 in Turin (Italy). The seminar is part of the project on the same topic, funded by the University of Turin. The objective of the seminar is to present and...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 337th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 337th session (16-20 October 2023): The decision on admissibility in Eurochild v. Bulgaria, Complaint No. 221/2023 The complaint was registered on 14 February 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 13...
New recommendation and resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation and resolution on 18 October 2023 at the 1478th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2023)5, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 8 December 2022 by the European Committee on...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
Confederación Intersindical Galega (CIG) v. Spain Complaint No. 231/2023 (Spanish only – translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 3 October 2023. It relates to Article 4§1 (right to a fair remuneration) of the revised European Social Charter. CIG alleges that Royal Decree No....
The decision on the merits in Association of Secondary Teachers lreland (ASTI) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 180/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Association of Secondary Teachers lreland (ASTI) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 180/2019, became public on 2 october 2023. In its complaint, ASTI alleged that the Irish Government, by according favourable treatment to a...
New registered complaint concerning France
The complaint was registered on 18 September 2023. It concerns Articles 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) and 31 (the right to housing) and Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 336th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 336th session (11-15 September 2023): • The decision on admissibility in Amnesty International v. Greece, Complaint No. 217/2022 The complaint was registered on 2 November 2020. It relates to Article 11§1 (the right to...
Recommendations and resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendations on 6 September 2023 at the 1473rd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2023)2, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 14 September 2022 by the European Committee on Social...
Training session for National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies on the reform of the European Social Charter monitoring procedures
On 13 December 2023, the Department of Social Rights organised a training session for National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies to explain the operational changes to the European Social Charter monitoring system, introduced by the adoption of the reform package by the Committee of...
The Committee of Ministers adopted 21 resolutions in respect of 21 Contracting Parties to the European Code of Social Security
The Committee of Ministers adopted, on 6 September 2023 at the 1473rd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, 21 resolutions on the application of the European Code of Social Security by 21 contracting parties to the Code. The resolutions cover the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. They are...
New registered complaints concerning Spain
Comisiones Obreras de Castilla y León (CCOO CyL) and Unión General de Trabajadores de Castilla y León (UGT CyL) v. Spain Complaint No. 228/2023 (Spanish only – translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 6 June 2023. It relates to Articles 3 (the right to safe and healthy working...
The decision on the merits in Validity Foundation v. Finland, Complaint No. 197/2020, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Validity Foundation v. Finland, Complaint No. 197/2020 became public on 25 August 2023. In its complaint, Validity alleged that some measures taken by the Government to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2020...
New ECSR member to be elected
Following the resignation with effect from 1 July 2023 of Monika ŠIMŮNKOVÁ (from the Czech Republic), the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe took a decision on the election procedure of a new member of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR). The deadline for the nomination of...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 335th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 335th session (3-7 July 2023): The decision on admissibility in Sindacato Autonomo Comitato Nazionale Pompieri (CO.NA.PO.) v. Italy, Complaints No. 214/2022 and No. 215/2022 The complaints were registered on 15 September 2022....
New registered complaint concerning Sweden
The complaint was registered on 19 June 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health) and 13 (the right to social and medical assistance) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social...
New registered complaint concerning France
The complaint was registered on 6 June 2023. It relates to Articles 4 (right to a fair remuneration) and 6 (right to bargain collectively) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter. Fédération SUD...
New registered complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 30 May 2023. It relates to Article 6§4 (the right to bargain collectively) of the Charter. The complainant organisation alleges that the total prohibition against the right to strike of Police members is not a restriction strictly necessary to ensure public safety...
The decision on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 185/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 185/2019 became public on 16 June 2023. In its complaint, ERRC alleged that, following a large-scale search operation carried out by the Belgian police on 7...
The Transition of Jobs: Changing Labour Markets and the Impact on Social Cohesion
Today, the Council of Europe and the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights of Malta, under the auspices of the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CCS), are holding a Conference on “The Transition of Jobs: Changing Labour Markets and the Impact on Social Cohesion” – in Attard,...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 334th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 334th session (22-26 May 2023): The decision on admissibility in Associazione Sindacale Militari (ASSO.MIL.) v. Italy, Complaint No. 213/2022 The complaint was registered on 29 August 2022. It relates to Article 12 (right to social...
The decision on the merits in European Disability Forum (EDF) and Inclusion Europe v. France, Complaint No. 168/2018, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in European Disability Forum (EDF) and Inclusion Europe v. France, Complaint No. 168/2018 became public on 17 April 2023. In their complaint, EDF and Inclusion Europe alleged that by failing to implement measures to...
New complaint concerning France
European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) v. France, Complaint No. 224/2023 (French only) The complaint was registered on 3 April 2023. It concerns Articles 1 (the right to work), 11 (the right to...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 333rd session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 333rd session (20-24 March 2023): The decision on admissibility in International Federation of Associations of the Elderly (FIAPA) v. France, Complaint No. 210/2022 The complaint was registered on 28 April 2022. It concerns...
New complaint concerning Italy
Associazione professionale sindacale dirigenti area istruzione e ricerca (Dirigentiscuola) v. Italy - Complaint No. 223/2023 (Italian only -translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 15 March 2023. It concerns Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with Articles 2 (right to...
New complaint concerning France
Fédération nationale des syndicats de salariés des mines et de l’énergie - Confédération générale du travail (FNME-CGT) c. France - Complaint No. 222/2023 (French only -translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 14 March 2023. It concerns Articles 3 (the right to safe and healthy...
Moot Court Competition on the European Social Charter
During the academic year 2022-2023, and at the initiative of its Italian section, the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights (ANESC) is organising the second edition of a “Moot Court” related to the European Social Charter. This bilingual (French-English) competition is...
Workshop for contracting parties to the European Code of Social Security on the calculation of social security benefits and their replacement rates
The Social Rights Department of the Council of Europe, in collaboration with the International Labour Office, are organising a workshop on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 in Strasbourg (Palais de l’Europe, room 8; 09:00-17:30 CET) and by video conference. The main objective of the workshop is to assist...
“Enhanced social protection in Ukraine” – Council of Europe project launch
The Council of Europe is launching today the project on “Enhanced social protection in Ukraine”. The Project’s aim is that people from vulnerable groups, including war-affected population in Ukraine, enjoy improved levels of social rights and social protection. It will contribute to the...
Labour Rights as Human Rights – launching of the new phase of the HELP course
The Council of Europe Project "Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia" launched the second phase of the 12-week online HELP course on "Labour Rights as Human Rights" in Georgia. The Project organised the first round of the course in 2022, specifically for the Labour...
The European Committee of Social Rights publishes its Conclusions on Labour Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) today published its Conclusions 2022 in respect of 33 States on the articles of the European Social Charter relating to Labour Rights. In the framework of the reporting procedure, the ECSR adopted 611 conclusions: 255 conclusions of conformity with...
Exchange of views of the ECSR with the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CCS)
Today, the European Committee of Social Rights is holding an exchange of views with the European Committee on Social Cohesion. The exchange of views will focus on cooperation between the CCS and the ECSR in order to promote the enjoyment of Charter rights as interpreted by the ECSR in the context...
The ECSR meets with the Finnish Government Representatives
Today, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) is holding a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the Finnish Government at the latter’s request. The main topic of the meeting will be the Committee’s recent decision in Finnish Society of Social Rights v. Finland, Complaint No. 172/2018...
Presentation of the conclusions 2022 of the European Committee of Social Rights relating to labour rights
The European Committee of Social Right (ECSR) will present its conclusions for 2022 on Wednesday 22 March 2023 (11:30-12:30 am CET). The press conference will be also broadcasted live. In 2022, in the framework of the reporting procedure, the Committee examined 34 state reports on the provisions...
Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik and the Social Charter
A few months ago, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to convene a Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe on 16-17 May 2023 in Reykjavik in the framework of the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. This will be...
Statement of the President of the European Committee of Social Rights on Women’s International Day
Women play an invaluable role in building a fairer and more inclusive future for everyone, both in Europe and across the world. However, women continue to experience unequal treatment at work, with the gender pay gap remaining prevalent across Europe. The current cost-of-living crisis has a...
New complaint concerning Bulgaria
Eurochild v. Bulgaria - Complaint No. 221/2023 The complaint was registered on 14 February 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 13 (the right to social and medical assistance), 14 (the right to benefit from social welfare services), 17 (the right of children and...
New resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following resolutions on 22 February 2023 at the 1457th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: • Resolution CM/ResChS(2023)1, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 19 October 2022 by the European Committee on Social Rights in...
New deadline for submitting candidates for the election of one member of the European Committee of Social Rights
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, at the 1437th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 15 June 2022, adopted the procedure (CM/Del/Dec(2022)1437/4.3E) for filling the five seats on the European Committee of Social Rights falling vacant on 31 December 2022, with the terms for...
The European Committee of Social Rights publishes its Findings 2022
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) is publishing today its Findings 2022 adopted at its 331st session (5-9 December 2022) in respect of seven States (Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden) which have accepted the collective complaints procedure....
Statement by Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights on the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
As President of the European Committee of Social Rights, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria following the earthquake of 6 February 2023. The loss of life has been vast and the earthquake’s social and economic consequences will affect...
The decision on the merits in Finnish Society of Social Rights v. Finland, Complaint No. 172/2018, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Finish Society of Social Rights v. Finland, Complaint No. 172/2018 became public on 15 February 2023. In its complaint, the Finnish Society of Social Rights alleged that the minimum level of several social security...
The decision on the merits in Confédération générale du travail (CGT) v. France, Complaint No. 155/2017, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Confédération générale du travail (CGT) v. France, Complaint No. 155/2017 became public on 14 February 2023. In its complaint, CGT asked the ECSR to find that France is in breach of its obligations under Article 6§4...
Decision adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 332nd session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 332nd session (23-27 January 2023): The decision on admissibility in European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions (EUROMIL) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 212/2022 The complaint was registered on 9 August 2022....
Training for National Human Rights Institutions and National Equality Bodies on the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter
How can National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and National Equality Bodies (NEBs) engage with the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) under the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter? This question will be addressed during an online training session, organised by the...
Call for proposals for national human rights institutions and equality bodies in the field of social and economic rights
For the second consecutive year, the Council of Europe Department of Social Rights is launching a call for proposals to support national human rights institutions and equality bodies in the field of social and economic rights as guaranteed by the European Social Charter. The objectives of the...
The European Committee of Social Rights elects its Bureau
Yesterday, during its plenary session, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) elected its new President, Vice-Presidents and General Rapporteur, who will make up its Bureau. President, Aoife Nolan (Irish); Vice-President, Eliane Chemla (French); Vice-President, Tatiana Puiu, (Moldovan);...
New complaint concerning the Czech Republic
European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. Czech Republic - Complaint No. 220/2023 The complaint was registered on 2 January 2023. It relates to Article 16 and the principle of non-discrimination contained in the Preamble of the 1961 Charter. The ERRC alleges that the situation in the Czech Republic...
332nd session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its first session for 2023 from 23 - 27 January 2023, in hybrid mode. The Committee will proceed to the adoption of Conclusions 2022 in respect of 33 States Parties to the Charter concerning the provisions belonging to thematic group 3 “(Thematic...
New complaints registered concerning Spain
Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) v. Spain Complaint No. 218/2022 The complaint was registered on 18 November 2022. It relates to Article 24 (the right to protection in cases of termination of employment) of the revised European Social Charter. The CCOO trade union confederation...
Online open access to “The Revised European Social Charter - An article-by-article commentary”
The book "The Revised European Social Charter - An article-by-article commentary", authored by Karin Lukas, former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, is now available free of charge to read, download and share on www.elgaronline.com. The online open access to the book has been...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 331st session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 331st session (5-9 December 2022): The decision on admissibility in Unione sindacale di base (USB) v. Italy, Complaint No. 208/2022 The complaint was registered on 31 March 2022. USB alleges that Law No. 146/1990 as subsequently...
Publication of a new multimedia-based e-handbook on the “Fundamental Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Europe”
The former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Professor (emer.) Matti Mikkola, has published a new multimedia-based online handbook on the “Fundamental Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Europe” (Legisactio LTD publishers). The handbook is a multimedia based systematic...
Updated Digest of the case law of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights and the Department of Social Rights of the Council of Europe are launching today an updated version of the Digest of the case-law of the European Committee of social Rights on the European Social Charter. The Charter is a living human rights instrument that...
331st session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights holds its 331st session from 5 to 9 December 2022 in hybrid mode. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-3 (2022) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2022 of the revised Charter with respect to the...
Seminar on strengthening the protection of social rights in Europe – the role of the European Social Charter
What is the role of the European Social Charter in strengthening the protection of social rights in Europe? This issue was discussed at a seminar, organised by the Department of Social Rights on 8 December 2022 to mark the end of mandate of several members of the European Committee of Social...
Election of members of the European Committee of Social Rights
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe elected two new members of the European Committee of Social Rights at the 1450th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 30 November 2022 (CM/ResChS(2022)6). The new members are: Ms Monika Šimůnková (Czech Republic), lawyer, former Deputy Public...
The decision on the merits in Syndicat CFDT de la métallurgie de la Meuse v. France, Complaint No. 175/2019, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Syndicat CFDT de la métallurgie de la Meuse v. France, Complaint No. 175/2019, became public on 30 November 2022. In its complaint, the complainant organisation, CFDT Meuse Metallurgy, asked the ECSR to find that the...
Report on the Impact of Digitalisation and IT Developments on Social Rights and Social Cohesion
In view of the importance of digitalisation and IT developments and their impact on social rights and social cohesion, the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CCS) commissioned a report on the Impact of Digitalisation and IT Developments on Social Rights and Social Cohesion - prepared by the...
Second meeting of the European Committee for Social Cohesion
The European Committee for Social Cohesion (CCS) will hold its 2nd meeting on 24 November 2022 in Strasbourg, France and via videoconference. The Committee will review the progress made under the 2022-2023 work plan, will exchange views and make proposals for future activities. The Committee will...
What challenges for social cohesion following the covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine
The seminar “Social Cohesion: Challenges anew”, organised by the European Committee for Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe (CCS), will be held on Wednesday, 23 November 2022 in Strasbourg, France and via videoconference. The main objective of the seminar is to discuss the current challenges...
145th meeting of the Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security
The Governmental Committee* of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security ("Governmental Committee") is holding its 145th meeting from 21 to 25 November 2022 in hybrid mode. The Governmental Committee will examine the situations of non-conformity with regard to the...
New complaint registered concerning Greece
Amnesty International v. Greece, Complaint No. 217/2022 The complaint was registered on 2 November 2022. It concerns Article 11§1 (the right to protection of health) and Article E (non-discrimination). Amnesty International alleges that Greece is in violation of Article 11§1, read alone or in...
New complaint registered concerning Portugal
Federação Nacional dos Professores (FENPROF) v. Portugal, Complaint No. 216/2022 The complaint was registered on 24 October 2022. It relates to Articles 3 (the right to safe and healthy working conditions) and E (non-discrimination) of the Revised European Social Charter. FENPROF alleges that the...
Exchange of views between Karin Lukas, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, and the Committee of Ministers Delegates
In her exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers Delegates, Karin Lukas, President of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR), emphasised that during her mandate the Committee has consistently aimed to interpret the Charter in the light of present-day conditions to keep up with the...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 330th session
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 330th session (17-21 October 2022): The decision on admissibility in International Federation of Associations of the Elderly (FIAPA) v. France, Complaint No. 205/2022 The complaint was registered on 14 February 2022. FIAPA alleges...
New complaints registered concerning Italy
Associazione Sindacale Militari (ASSO.MIL.) v. Italy (Italian only - translation in progress) Complaint No. 213/2022 The complaint was registered on 29 August 2022. It relates to Article 12 (right to social security) and Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with this provision of the...
330th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
330th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its 330th session from 17 to 21 October 2022 in hybrid mode. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-3 (2022) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2022 of the revised Charter with respect to the...
The Council of Europe Conference of INGOs organises two events to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
To mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Council of Europe Conference of INGOs is organising two events on the theme ‘’PUTTING AN END TO NON-TAKE-UP OF RIGHTS: For effective Access by Everyone to Rights and Services’’ on 17 October 2022 in hybrid format in Strasbourg and...
Training for staff of the Protector of Citizens of Serbia on better monitoring the implementation of the European Social Charter in Serbia and reporting to the European Committee of Social Rights
The office of the Protector of Citizens of Serbia organised on 3 October 2022 a training for its staff on how to effectively monitor the implementation of the Revised European Social Charter at national level and how to engage with the European Committee of Social Rights under the reporting...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 329th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 329th session (12-16 September 2022): The decision on admissibility in Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) v. Spain, Complaint No. 207/2022 The complaint was registered on 24 March 2022. UGT alleges that the Spanish legislation on...
The Committee of Ministers adopts changes to the European Social Charter system
On 27 September 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted the operational decisions to reform the European Social Charter system (CM(2022)114). The reform covers the statutory reporting procedure as well as a new ad hoc reporting on critical or emerging issues. It also addresses certain procedural...
The decision on the merits in Confédération Générale du Travail Force Ouvrière (CGT-FO) v. France, Complaint No. 160/2018 and Confédération générale du travail (CGT) v. France, Complaint No. 171/2018 is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Confédération Générale du Travail Force Ouvrière (CGT-FO) v. France, Complaint No. 160/2018 and Confédération générale du travail (CGT) v. France, Complaint No. 171/2018 became public on 26 September 2022. In their...
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The European Social Charter at Sixty: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects for the Protection of Social Rights in Europe
The Ulster University (Northern Ireland) is pleased to share the recording of a conversation on the future of the European Social Charter (ESC), the main instrument protecting social rights within the Council of Europe, as well as on its relationship to the European Union (EU). The event took...
New recommendation and resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation and resolutions on 14 September 2022 at the 1442nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2022)20, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 8 September 2021 by the European Committee...
North Macedonia: The Council of Europe and the UNHCR join forces to discuss access to social and economic rights and integration related services for refugees and stateless persons
Access to social and economic rights and integration related services for refugees and stateless persons are in focus of the joint roundtable co-organised by the Council of Europe and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on 21 September 2022, in Skopje (North Macedonia). Participants will be...
12th Meeting of the COE-FRA-ENNHRI-EQUINET Platform on Social and Economic Rights
Strengthening cooperation between National Human Rights Institutions/Equality Bodies and civil society organisations working on social rights
The COE-FRA-ENNHRI-EQUINET Collaborative Platform on Social and Economic Rights will hold its 12th meeting on strengthening cooperation between National Human Rights Institutions/Equality Bodies and civil society organisations working in the field of social rights on 20 September 2022 in...
European Parliament calls on EU Member States to accept Article 31 of the Revised Charter on the right to housing
In its Resolution of 15 September 2022 on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2020 and 2021, the European Parliament calls on EU Member States to accept, without delay, that they should be bound by Article 31 of the Revised European Social Charter on the right to housing....
New complaint registered concerning Ireland
The complaint was registered on 9 August 2022. It relates to Articles 2 (the right to just conditions of work) and 4 (right to a fair remuneration) of the revised European Social Charter. EUROMIL alleges that members of the Irish Defence Forces do not benefit from appropriate working conditions...
The Committee of Ministers adopted Resolutions on the application of the European Code of Social Security
The Committee of Ministers adopted, on 14 September 2022 at the 1442nd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, 21 Resolutions on the application of the European Code of Social Security by 21 Contracting Parties to the Code. The Resolutions cover the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. They are...
329th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its 329th session from 12 to 16 September 2022 in hybrid mode. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-3 (2022) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2022 of the revised Charter with respect to...
Roundtable discussion on the implementation of the European Social Charter in Finland
On 18 August 2022, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a national roundtable discussion on the implementation of the European Social Charter (link to programme in Finnish). The discussion addressed a range of issues, including the on-going Charter reform process, the Charter’s...
The decision on the merits in Associazione Professionale e Sindacale (ANIEF) v. Italy, Complaint No. 159/2018, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Associazione Professionale e Sindacale (ANIEF) v. Italy, Complaint No. 159/2018, became public on 23 August 2028. In its complaint, ANIEF alleged that Italy has violated Articles 1§1, 1§2, 4§1, 4§4, 5, 6§4 and 24 as...
Study visit of the Georgian Labour Inspection to Poland
From 10 to 12 August 2022, representatives of the Labour Inspection Office (LIO) of Georgia visited the National Labour Inspectorate of Poland at the Memorial Training Centre of Professor Jan Rosner of the National Labour Inspectorate in Wroclaw. The main objective of the study visit was to share...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 328th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 328th session (4-8 July 2022): The decision on admissibility in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. Belgium , Complaint No. 203/2021 The complaint was registered on 17 December 2021....
The European Committee of Social Rights received a significant number of shadow reports by social partners and civil society organisations
In 2022, state reports have been, as in 2021, the subject of unprecedented interest from the social partners and civil society. The number of comments, or shadow reports, has considerably increased. "This new level of engagement is a major achievement", pointed out Karin Lukas, President of the...
States Parties to the European Social Charter are invited to report on the rights of children, families and migrants by 31 December 2022
The European Committee of Social Rights transmitted, in the framework of the reporting procedure, the questions to States Parties of the Revised European Social Charter and the 1961 Charter relating to the provisions belonging to the thematic group 4 “children, families and migrants”. The...
The European Committee of Social Rights adopts a revised version of its Rules
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted amendments to its Rules during its 328th session on 6 July 2022. One of the changes concerns a non-substantive editorial change on page 2. Other changes concern in particular Article 21A§1 (Comments on national reports) with the rewording of...
Support from social partners is essential for strengthening social rights, says ECSR President Karin Lukas
On 6 July, the European Committee of Social Rights held an informal exchange of views with a delegation from the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) headed by Esther Lynch, Deputy General Secretary. The discussion focused on social rights in the current geopolitical crisis and the on-going...
Bulgaria accepts eight additional provisions of the European Social Charter
On 1 July 2022, Bulgaria notified the Council of Europe that it accepts eight additional provisions of the European Social Charter, namely Articles 9, 10§2, 10§3a, 10§4, 12§2, 12§4, 19§5 and 19§9. This brings the total number of provisions accepted by Bulgaria to 70 out of 98 paragraphs. The...
The decision on the merits in Unione sindacale di base (USB) v. Italy, Complaint No. 170/2018, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in Unione sindacale di base (USB) v. Italy, Complaint No. 170/2018, became public on 5 July 2022. In its complaint, USB alleged that the situation in Italy, where municipalities and public bodies in Sicily and Campania make abusive...
328th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights holds its 328th session from 4 to 8 July in hybrid mode. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-3 (2022) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2022 of the revised Charter with respect to the provisions...
Meeting of the Mutual Information System on Social Protection of the Council of Europe (MISSCEO) network
The 23rd meeting of the Mutual Information System on Social Protection of the Council of Europe (MISSCEO) network took place on 28 June 2022 in hybrid mode. The network, which brings together 11 Member States* of the Council of Europe, is complementary to the European Union’s MISSOC network....
European Committee of Social Rights: election of members for 2023-2028
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, at the 1437th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 15 June 2022, adopted the procedure (CM/Del/Dec(2022)1437/4.3E) for filling the five seats on the European Committee of Social Rights falling vacant on 31 December 2022, with the terms for...
2nd webinar for INGOs
Advancing the implementation of socio-economic rights by making better use of the monitoring procedures of the European Social Charter
The Social Rights Department organised, together with the Council of Europe Conference of INGOs a training session for non-governmental organisations on the monitoring procedures of the European Social Charter and in particular on the use of the collective complaints procedure as a means of...
144th meeting of the Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security
The Governmental Committee* of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security ("Governmental Committee") is holding its 144th meeting from 30 May to 3 June 2022 in hybrid mode. Within the framework of the European Code of Social Security, the Governmental Committee will...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 327th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 327th session (16-20 May 2022): The decision on admissibility in Comitato Nazionale Quadri Direttivi della Pubblica Amministrazione (CO.N.QUA.DIR – P.A.) and Cassa Mutua Nazionale tra i Cancellieri e Segretari Giudiziari v. Italy,...
Foreign Affairs Ministers adopt decisions on social rights in Turin
Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states held their annual session on 20 May 2022 in Turin (Italy). As regards social rights, the Committee of Ministers, recalling its decisions adopted at its 131st Session (Hamburg, 21 May 2021) and the Declaration adopted on the...
The European Committee for Social Cohesion elects its Chair
The European Committee for Social Cohesion elected on 17 May 2022, during its 1st meeting, Mr Joe Gerada (Malta) as Chair and Ms Rita Skrebiškienė (Lithuania) as Vice-Chair. Mr Jerzy Ciechanski (Poland) and Mr Riccardo Venturini (San Marino) were elected as Bureau members. It was decided that the...
327th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its 327th session from 16 to 20 May in in Strasbourg and by video conference. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-3 (2022) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2022 of the revised Charter...
First meeting of the European Committee for Social Cohesion
The first meeting of the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CCS) will be held on 17-18 May 2022 in Strasbourg and by video conference. During the meeting, the Committee will inter alia take note of the CCS Terms of reference for 2022-2025 and exchange views on the action plan for 2022-2023....
Workshop for the Labour Inspection Office of Georgia
The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” facilitated a workshop for the Labour Inspection Office of Georgia on 5 May 2022. The workshop is part of a training series on developing communication and social skills for employees and further...
2nd Steering Committee meeting of the Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia"
The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” held its 2nd Steering Committee meeting on 21 April 2022 in hybrid format. Participants went through the state of state of implementation and the outcomes of the Project so far and assessed in...
New complaints registered concerning France
International Federation of Associations of the Elderly (FIAPA) v. France, Complaint No. 210/2021 (French only – translation in progress) The complaint was registered on 28 April 2022. It concerns Articles 5 (the right to organise), 23 (the right of the elderly to social protection) and E...
Launch of the HELP online course "Labour Rights as Human Rights" in Georgia
On 19 April 2022, the Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” launched the online HELP course on Labour Rights as Human Rights in Georgia. The course was specifically translated into Georgian and adapted to the needs of the Labour Inspection...
Recommendation and Resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation on 20 April 2022 at the 1432nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2022)2, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 26 January 2021 by the European Committee on Social Rights in...
New complaint registered concerning Norway
The complaint was registered on 1 April 2022. It concerns Article 24 (the right to protection in case of dismissal) of the revised European Social Charter. FFFS alleges that Norway is in breach of this provision of the Charter because it allows the two main workers' and employers' organisations,...
New complaint registered concerning Italy
The complaint was registered on 31 March 2022. It relates to Article 6§4 (right to collective bargaining) of the Revised Social Charter. UBS alleges that the restrictions on the exercise of the right to strike in essential public services contained in the provisions of Law No. 146 of 12 June 1990...
New complaint concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 24 March 2022. It concerns Article 24 (right to protection in cases of termination of employment) of the Revised European Social Charter. UGT alleges that the Spanish legislation on individual dismissals without just cause (Article 56 of Royal Legislative Decree...
Moot Court Competition on the European Social Charter - results
The jury unanimously underlined the high level of the pleadings that took place on the afternoon of 1 April 2022 in Brussels in the framework of the competition organised by the Belgian section of the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights. At the end of the oral...
Moot Court Competition on the European Social Charter
During the academic year 2021-2022, and at the initiative of its Belgian section, the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights (ANESC) is organising the first edition of a “Moot Court” related to the European Social Charter. This bilingual (French-English) competition is...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 326th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 326th session (21-25 March 2022): The decision on admissibility in Associazione Professionale e Sindacale (ANIEF) v. Italy, Complaint No. 200/2021 The complaint was registered on 21 June 2021. ANIEF alleges that the situation in Italy...
1st webinar for INGOs
Advancing the implementation of socio-economic rights by making better use of the monitoring procedures of the European Social Charter
The Council of Europe Conference of INGOs is organising, together with the Social Rights Department, a training session for non-governmental organisations on the monitoring procedures of the European Social Charter and in particular on the use of the collective complaints procedure as a means of...
Statement of the European Committee of Social Rights on the crisis caused by the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine
The European Committee of Social Rights, Deeply concerned about the lives and human rights of the people in Ukraine following the Russian Federation’s military aggression in and against Ukraine as well as about the situation of all refugees, asylum seekers and others fleeing the conflict;...
ECSR Conclusions 2021
Several problems relating to health and social protection still persist in Europe
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) today published its conclusions 2021 in respect of 33 States* on the articles of the Charter relating to the thematic group “Health, social security and social protection”. Germany and Iceland submitted their reports too late and therefore the...
Bilateral meeting with the Danish Maritime Authority
On 22 March 2022, the European Committe of Social Rights (ECSR) held a meeting with experts from the Danish Maritime Authority to discuss the restrictions on trade union freedom and collective bargaining following from legislation on the Danish International Ships Register (DIS). The meeting took...
Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia
Workshop on non-conformity with the European Social Charter
The Project “Strengthening the Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” hosted an online workshop on non-conformity with the European Social Charter, 22 March 2022. The aim of the workshop was to support Georgian authorities, institutions, NHRIs and social partners in their activities...
New complaint registered concerning Spain
The complaint was registered on 2 March 2022. It concerns Articles 31 (the right to housing), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 17 (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty...
Presentation of the conclusions 2021 of the European Committee of Social Rights relating to health, social security and social protection
The European Committee of Social Right (ECSR) will present its conclusions and findings for 2021 on Wednesday 23 March 2021 (09:30-11:00 am CET) via an online press conference. In 2021, in the framework of the reporting procedure, the Committee examined 33 state reports* on the provisions of the...
The Russian Federation is excluded from the Council of Europe
In an extraordinary meeting this morning, the Committee of Ministers decided, in the context of the procedure launched under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe as from today, after 26 years of membership....
Workshop on non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter vis-à-vis national legislation in Georgia
The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” organised a workshop on non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter vis-à-vis national regulations of Georgia, on March 15-16. The objective of the workshop was to promote the ratification...
Statement of Karin Lukas, President of the European Committee of Social Rights on the situation in Ukraine
As President of the European Committee of Social Rights, I am deeply concerned by the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. This is having fatal consequences in terms of the lives and human rights of the people in Ukraine, including their enjoyment of social rights as set out in the...
Third party organisations are invited to submit additional information to the ECSR on labour rights by 30 June 2022
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) invites trade unions, employers’ organisations, non-governmental organisations, national human rights institutions and national equality bodies to submit comments on national reports under the reporting procedure to the ECSR relating to the...
New complaint registered concerning France
The complaint was registered on 14 February 2022. It relates to Articles 23 (the right of elderly persons to social protection) 15 (the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation in the life of the community), 16 (the right of the family to social,...
Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia
Workshop on Preparing alternative reports within the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter
The Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” organised a workshop on Preparing alternative reports within the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter. Along with the Council of Europe project representatives, the workshop was opened by the First...
Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia
Workshop on preparing national reports under the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter
The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia” organised an online workshop on preparing national reports under the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter on 1 March 2022. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of...
New recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following recommendation on 23 February 2022 at the 1426th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/ResChS(2022)1, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 19 May 2021 by the European Committee on Social Rights in...
Conference on Social Resilience and Health Equity: A human right prospective for better resilience and preparedness
In the framework of the Italian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe is organising an event on Social Resilience and Health Equity. In the current international context, member States are urged to further engage in dialogue and co-operation, and to rediscover the very...
The decision on the merits in European Youth Forum (YFJ) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 150/2017, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in European Youth Forum (YFJ) v. Belgium, Complaint No. 150/2017, became public on 16 February 2022. In its complaint, YFJ invited the Committee to find a violation of Articles 4§1 (the right of workers to a remuneration such as will...
Call for proposals for national human rights institutions and equality bodies in the field of social and economic rights
The European Social Charter Department of the Council of Europe is launching a call for proposals to support national human rights institutions and equality bodies in the field of social and economic rights as guaranteed by the European Social Charter. The objectives of this action are: to...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 325th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 325th session (24-28 January 2022): The decision on admissibility in European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions (EUROMIL) v. Portugal, Complaint No. 199/2021 The complaint was registered on 12 May 2021. EUROMIL...
New complaint registered concerning Bulgaria
The complaint was registered on 25 January 2022. It concerns Articles 11 (the right to the protection of health) and Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with this provision of the revised European Social Charter. OSEPI alleges that, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and...
New complaint registered concerning Belgium
The complaint was registered on 17 December 2021. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 19§4.c (the right of migrant workers and their...
How can National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies engage with the European Committee of Social Rights
What role for national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and national equality bodies (NEBs) in the European Social Charter reporting procedure? This question will be addressed during an online training session, organised by the European Social Charter Department in collaboration with ENNHRI and...
325th session of the European Committee of Social Rights by videoconference
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its first session for 2022 from 24 to 28 January 2022 entirely by videoconference. The Committee will proceed with the adoption of conclusions 2021 in respect of 33 States Parties to the Charter (no conclusions in respect of Germany and Iceland...
Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social rights at its 324th session
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted during its 324th session (6-10 December 2021): The decision on admissibility in European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) and National Federation of Christian Trade Unions (CNV) v. the Netherlands,...
143rd meeting of the Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security
The Governmental Committee* of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security (‘Governmental Committee’) will hold its 143rd meeting from 13 to 17 December 2021 in hybrid mode. The Governmental Committee will take stock of the situation relating to the ongoing reform process...
324th session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights will hold its 324th session from 6 to 10 December in hybrid mode. The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports* for Conclusions XXII-2 (2021) of the 1961 Charter and for Conclusions 2021 of the revised Charter with respect to the...
Social rights in the digital age: challenges and opportunities
To mark the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the Council of Europe, the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe together with the University of Strasbourg (Research Centre UMR 7354 DRES) and the Council of Europe’s...
NETLEX conference: 25 years of trade union legal activism in Europe
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is holding the next NETLEX anniversary conference in Paris (CFDT Headquarters, 4 bd Villette, 75019 Paris) on 2 and 3 December 2021. Several topics will be discussed during the event such as the ETUC’s legal engagement over the years, the...
Launch and Discussion of Needs Assessment Report on Social Rights in Georgia
The results of a comprehensive needs assessment in respect to the current state of social rights in Georgia vis-à-vis the European Social Charter were discussed during an online event on 30 November in Tbilissi, Georgia. The report was prepared in the framework of the Project “Strengthening...
3rd Thessaloniki Forum on Human Rights
The General Rapporteur of the European Committee of Social Rights, Giuseppe Palmisano, participated in the 3rd Thessaloniki Forum on Human Rights, which was held in a hybrid format on 25 and 26 November 2021 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The main topic of the Forum was related to the rights of people...
Presentation of a book on the Revised European Social Charter, followed by a panel discussion on the future of social rights
The Permanent Representation of Austria to the Council of Europe is organising, in cooperation with the European Social Charter Department, an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter on 7 December 2021 (Strasbourg, Palais de l'Europe, Room 1, 17:00-19:00 CEST). This...
Current challenges and opportunities for social rights protection in the light of the Revised European Social Charter
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, the Polish Section of the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights (ANESC), in collaboration with the University of Bialystok, Poland and with the support of the Department of the European Social Charter of...
New resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers thus making public the decision on the merits in the case Unione Nazionale Dirigenti dello Stato (UNADIS) v. Italy, Complaint No. 147/2017
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following resolution on 10 November 2021 at the 1417th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Resolution CM/ResChS(2021)4, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 30 June 2021 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case...
The decision on the merits in Confédération générale du travail (CGT) and Confédération française de l’encadrement-CGC (CFE-CGC) v. France, Complaint No. 149/2017, is now public
The decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the merits in Confédération générale du travail (CGT) and Confédération française de l’encadrement-CGC (CFE-CGC) v. France, Complaint No. 149/2017, became public on 10 November 2021. In their complaint, CGT and CFE-CGC, referring...
The European Social Charter turns 60: advancing economic and social rights across jurisdictions
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, which was opened for signature on 18 October 1961 in Turin, the Law Department of the University of Turin will hold a conference on 11 and 12 November 2021. The conference is organised with the support of the Department of the...
7th meeting of the European Social Cohesion Platform
The European Social Cohesion Platform (PECS) will hold its 7th meeting on 4 and 5 November 2021 via videoconference. The Platform will review the progress with the 2020-2021 work plan and discuss the current status of the terms of reference for 2022-2025. In addition, the Platform will discuss...
New guide: How can National Human Rights Institutions and National Equality Bodies engage with the European Committee of Social Rights
The European Social Charter has just published a new guide for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and National Equality Bodies NEBs). The guide aims to clarify how NHRIs and NEBs can engage with the European Committee of Social Rights under the two monitoring procedures of the European...
Barbara Kresal: The welfare state cannot be taken for granted
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, Barbara Kresal, Associate Professor of Labour Law and Social Security, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and member of the European Committee of Social Rights, makes an overview of the role played by the European Social...
European Social Charter 60th anniversary: Committee of Ministers Declaration
Adopted on 13 October 2021 at the Ministers’ Deputies’ 1414th meeting Sixty years ago – to the day – the Council of Europe member States enshrined in international law a series of social rights (Turin, 18 October 1961). It was the first time that the social rights objectives set out in the...
One person's poverty should be a permanent concern for all
On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October, Eliane Chemla, Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights, sounds the alarm: "The most recent surveys are alarming: the health crisis caused by the pandemic has seriously affected the most vulnerable populations...
323rd session of the European Committee of Social Rights
The 323rd session (in hybrid format) of the European Committee of Social Rights began with a High Level Panel, organised on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, on 18 October 2021. Karin Lukas, President of the Committee took part in the panel. In addition, on 18...
Join the celebration of the European Social Charter’s 60th anniversary
The European Social Charter celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021. It was opened for signature in Turin on 18 October 1961. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the opening for signature of the revised European Social Charter. On this occasion, the Council of Europe will hold a...
The European Social Charter in Bulgaria
How is the European Social Charter implemented in Bulgaria? Krassimira Sredkova, Chair of the Bulgarian Association of Labour Law and Social Insurance of Bulgaria and former member of the European Committee of Social Rights, makes an overview of the legislative, administrative and financial...
The European Social Charter - a guardian of our social rights
The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe human rights treaty. For 60 years, the Charter has been protecting the social and economic rights of citizens across Europe. It was open for signature on 18 October 1961 in Turin, Italy. The Charter guarantees a broad range of everyday human...
Fundamental Rights Forum 2021
The European Social Charter: a story on equality
The Council of Europe will host a series of sessions at the hybrid Fundamental Rights Forum 2021 on 11 and 12 October 2021. A panel debate on how the European Social Charter, the only specialised legal instrument on social rights in Europe, and the findings of the European Committee of Social...
The Swedish labour market model and the European Social Charter
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, Birgitta Nyström, former member of the European Committee of Social Rights, makes an overview of the Swedish labour market model and how certain of its characteristics have affected Sweden’s ability to ratify new provisions...
Seminar on the collective complaints procedure under the European Social Charter
To mark the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, the Belgian section of the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights (ANESC) is organising, with the support of the European Social Charter Department of the Council of Europe, a seminar on the collective...
60 years on bringing the European Social Charter into changed times
The University of Roma Tre (Department of Law, Roma Tre International Centre for Research "Diritto e Globalizzazione") together with the University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre, and with the support of the Department of the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe, are organising...
New recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following Recommendation on 22 September 2021 at the 1412th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies: Recommendation CM/RecChS(2021)19, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 9 September 2020 by the European Committee on Social...
European Social Charter 60th anniversary and 25 years of Russian membership of the Council of Europe
As part of the events to mark the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter, a Round table on “European Social Charter – 60th anniversary and 25 years of Russian membership to the Council of Europe” will take place on 29 September 2021 in Moscow, Russian Federation. The event is organised...
The European Committee of Social Rights publishes its Conclusions on Labour Rights
Department of Social Rights
Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
Council of Europe
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