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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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;...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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