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The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996.
The European Committee of Social Rights rules on the conformity of the situation in States with the European Social Charter, the 1988 Additional Protocol and the Revised European Social Charter.

FOCUS

Seminar of the Conference of INGOs on "Civil society tackling child poverty in Europe"

[16/10/2015]  The Department of the European Social Charter contributed to the organisation of the Seminar of the Conference of INGOs on “Civil society tackling child poverty in Europe”, held within the framework of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 16 October 2015. During the opening session, Giuseppe PALMISANO recalled the role of the European Social Charter in guaranteeing children’s rights, in particular at the time of global economic crisis. The main objective of the seminar was the preparation of an event dedicated to children’s rights and the fight against poverty to be held on 17 October 2015 in Warsaw.

Moreover, members of the Committee attended the commemorative ceremony around the stone in memory of the victims of hunger, ignorance and violence on the forecourt of the Palais de l’Europe.

 

European Committee of Social Rights: Statement of Interpretation on the rights of refugees under the European Social Charter

[08/10/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights has adopted a Statement of Interpretation on the rights of refugees under the European Social Charter. The Committee highlights the responsibilities undertaken by States Parties under this treaty to provide protection to refugees in Europe, to treat them with dignity, and to guarantee their fundamental rights. The Statement has been elaborated in the context of the Committee’s periodical examination of state reports on Charter rights related to children, families and migrants. The Committee’s conclusions state-by-state in this respect will be published in January 2016. Statement of Interpretation

Hearing of the President of the European Committee of Social Rights at the Italian Parliament – Rome 22nd of July

[23/07/2015]  The President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Giuseppe PALMISANO, was heard by the Committee of the Italian parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe on the 22nd of July, at the Italian Parliament in Rome. The hearing, held on the invitation of the President of the Italian delegation, Michele NICOLETTI, concerned the latest developments of the European Social Charter and the Turin Process which reaffirms the priority of the social rights guaranteed by the Charter on the continent, as well as the synergies to be developed with the European Union.

Belgium accepts further provisions of the Revised European Social Charter

[10/06/2015]  In accordance with Part III, Article A, paragraph 2, of the Revised Charter, on 10 June 2015 Belgium accepted the following articles of Part II:

Article 26 – The right to dignity at work (paragraph 2)

Article 27 – The right of workers with family responsibilities to equal opportunities and equal treatment (paragraph 1 and paragraph 2)

Article 28 – The right of workers' representatives to protection in the undertaking and facilities to be accorded to them.

(Declaration from the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium contained in an instrument registered at the Secretariat General on 10 June 2015 - Or. Fr., Date of effect of the declaration : 1 August 2015)

(more information)

NEWS

Conference on International Labor Standards, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

[27/11/2015]  An international conference on " International Labour Standards : EU and Council of Europe - their relations in the field of human (social) rights " was held the 25th of November 2015 in Frankfurt. The Conference was co-organised by Monika Schlachter Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights.
Programme
Turin Process

International Congress on Social Rights and Policies in Europe in Valencia, Spain

[03/11/2015]  An international Congress on “Social Rights and Policies in Europe: current challenges and possible solutions for a way out of the crisis”, organised by the University of Valencia in the framework of the European Union’s Lifelong Learning Programme took place in Valencia 21-23 October 2015. The Congress was directed by Professor Antonio Bar Cendon and Professor Carmen Salcedo Beltran. Among the speakers were former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Professor Luis Jimena Quesada as well as Deputy Head of the Department of the European Social Charter, Henrik Kristensen. Programme

Decisions adopted by the European Committee of Social Rights at its 280th Session

[22/10/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights adopted on 9 September 2015 at its 280th session the following decisions :

- the decision on admissibility and on immediate measures in the case Unione Italiana del Lavoro U.I.L. Scuola – Sicilia v. Italy, complaint No.113/2014. (more information)
Decision on admissibility and immediate measures No. 113/2014

- the decision on admissibility in the case European Federation of Employees in Public Services (EUROFEDOP) v. Greece, complaint No.115/2015. (more information)
Decision on admissibility No. 115/2015

- the decision on admissibility in the case in the case Matica hrvatskih sindikata v. Croatia, complaint No.116/2015. (more information)
Decision on admissibility No. 116/2015

- the decision on admissibility in the case Transgender-Europe and ILGA-Europe v. Czech Republic, complaint No.117/2015. (more information)
Decision on admissibility No. 117/2015

- the decision on admissibility in the case Confédération Générale du Travail Force Ouvrière (CGT-FO) v. France, complaint No.118/2015.(more information)
Decision on admissibility No. 118/2015   Collective complaints website

Meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Armenia, Yerevan 30 September 2015

[08/10/2015]  A meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Armenia was held in Yerevan on 30 September 2015. The meeting was attended by Mr Arayik Petrosyan , first Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia and some 30 participants representing various ministries, as well as organisations of workers and employers. Mr Lauri Leppik, the General Rapporteur of the European Committee of Social Rights and Mr François Vandamme, the member of the Committee participated in this meeting, as well as Mr Henrik Kristensen and Ms Nino Chitashvili of the Department of the European Social Charter. The Armenian authorities made a number of presentations concerning the situation as regards different non-accepted provisions of the Charter, such as Articles 4§1 and 11.

A Regional Meeting on the European Code of Social Security was held in Zagreb, Croatia, 22-23 September 2015

[01/10/2015]  The meeting was co-organised by the Department of the European Social Charter, Council of Europe and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Pension System, Croatia (more information)

Conference on ‘New Opportunities in the employment of young people and women in the Western Balkans’ - 17-18 September 2015 - Sarajevo

[04/09/2015]  Under its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, Bosnia and Herzegovina has organised jointly with the Department of the European Social Charter a Conference entitled ‘New opportunities in the employment of young people and women in the Western Balkans’. The Conference took place on 17 - 18 September 2015 in Sarajevo. In the current difficult economic situation, young people and women are among those who have most difficulties in finding a job. On the one hand the Conference has been an opportunity to present the protection mechanisms as prescribed in the European Social Charter. On the other hand, the impact on the labour market of other organizations including civil society has been outlined and best practices as experienced in other Western Balkan countries presented.
 
The Conference builds on the Turin process that was launched in October 2014 during the Italian Presidency of the European Union and continued in February 2015 during the Belgian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. This process aims at ‘renewing the political interest in social rights in Europe within the current context’.

Around 70 participants attended. Opening addresses were delivered by Ms Semiha Borovac, Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, and Mr Damir Dizdareviċ, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs. Former member of the European Committee of Social Rights, Ms Csilla Kollonay Lehoczky also participated in this Conference as well as Mr Régis Brillat and Mr Karl-Friedrich Bopp of the Department of the European Social Charter.
Conference programme

Annual meeting of the Spanish Ombudspersons, Santander, 17-18 September 2015

[22/09/2015]  The former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Mr Luis Jimena Quesada, participated in this meeting on the topic "The Right of Housing". Programme (esp)

Public hearing in Complaint No. 91/2013, Confederazione Generale del Lavoro (CGIL) v. Italy

[03/09/2015]  A public hearing will be held in Complaint No. 91/2013 Confederazione Generale del Lavoro (CGIL) v. Italy on 7 September 2015 at 15.00 in the Human Rights Building of the Council of Europe before the European Committee of Social Rights.
The number of seats being limited, those wishing to attend the hearing are requested to register at: social.charter@coe.int

Meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Georgia, 3 September 2015, Tbilisi

[03/09/2015]  A meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Georgia was held in Tbilisi on 3 September 2015. The meeting was attended by Mr Valeri Kvaratskhelia, Deputy Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, and some 40 participants representing various ministries, institutions and agencies, as well as organisations of workers and employers. Two members of the European Committee of Social Rights, Mr József Hajdu and Ms Marit Frogner, participated in this meeting, as well as Mr Régis Brillat and Mr Florent Duplouy of the Department of the European Social Charter. An exchange of views also took place on the1995 Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints.

Informal meeting between the Agents of the Governments before the European Committee of Social Rights and the Bureau of the Committee, Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 29 June 2015.

[02/07/2015]  The discussion focused on recent developments of the collective complaints procedure and the role of the Agent of the Government in the procedure. The participants discussed, inter alia, the duration of the examination of complaints, the strike out, the follow-up to resolutions of the Committee of Ministers, and the simplified reporting procedure for the States Parties having accepted the collective complaints procedure.
The majority of States Parties to the collective complaints procedure were represented.

FEANTSA Annual Policy Conference: "Homelessness, a local phenomenon... with European Dimension, Paris 19 June 2015.

[29/06/2015]  Régis Brillat, Executive Secretary of the European Committee of Social Rights participated in a workshop ‘Using international legal instruments to drive changes at local level’
    Programme of the Conference

Conference: “ Housing Rights: the impact of strategic litigation and advocacy - Comparing Europe and North America”, organised by Housing Rights Watch, Ecole nationale supérieure d'architecture Paris - Belleville, 18 June 2015.

[26/06/2015] François Vandamme, member of the European Committee of Social Rights, and Régis Brillat, Executive Secretary, participated in this Conference.

Housing Rights Watch
Programme of the Conference

"La Carta social Europea y su aplicacion por los tribunales nacionales", Albacete, Spain

[22/06/2015]  Mr Luis Jimena Quesada, former President of the European Committee of Social Rights will participate in a Conference on the European Social Charter and its application by domestic courts « The importance of the European Social Charter and its monitoring mechanisms » on 25 June 2015.

Seminar on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Bulgaria, 18 June 2015, Sofia


  [18/06/2015] A meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Bulgaria was held in Sofia on 18 June 2015. The meeting was attended by three Deputy Ministers of Labour and Social Policy, Ms Zornitsa Roussinova, Mr Galab Donev and Mr Lazar Lazarov. Around 40 participants in total attended representing various ministries and agencies, as well as organisations of workers and employers. Three members of the European Committee of Social Rights, Mr Giuseppe Palmisano (President of the Committee), Ms Karin Lukas and Ms Krassimira Sredkova participated in this meeting, as well as Mr Henrik Kristensen and Mr Kevin Brown of the Department of the European Social Charter. An exchange of views also took place on the Turin Process and Bulgaria’s contribution to it in the context of its upcoming chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee.

European Parliament - The Impact of the Crisis on Fundamental Rights across Member States of the European Union - Comparative Analysis

Upon request by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, this study presents a synthesis of studies conducted in seven EU Member States regarding the impact of financial and economic crises, and austerity measures imposed in response thereto, on fundamental rights of individuals. The Member States studied are: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal. The impact of measures is examined in relation to the rights to: education, healthcare, work, pension, access to justice, as well as freedom of expression and assembly in all seven Member States, while a number of State-specific rights are also looked into, such as the right to housing, right to property or some rights at work. In addition, an overview is made of the mechanisms available for monitoring compliance with international human rights obligations. In view of the impacts recorded, recommendations are made for EU action to ensure respect for fundamental rights in times of austerity. More information available at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=IPOL_STU(2015)510021

Euroasia Forum of social workers Yakutsk, Russian Federation 7-11 June 2015

[11/06/2015] On the Occasion of the Forum, a workshop on the European Social Charter was organized in Yakutsk in cooperation with the Ministry of Yakutsk workshopLabour and Social Development of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), with the participation of Elena Machulskaya, Member of the European Committee of Social Rights, Régis Brillat, Executive Secretary and Elena Vokach-Boldyreva, Vice-Chair of the Governmental Committee and Oren Gostiaux, INGOs Conference.




Recommendation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 2058 (2014) - Social exclusion: a danger for Europe’s democracies : the Committee of Ministers’ reply

[03/06/2015]  In its reply to this recommendation, adopted on 3 June 2015, the Committee of Ministers calls on all those member States who have not yet done so to consider ratifying the European Social Charter (revised), as well as its Additional Protocol Providing for a System of Collective Complaints. In this respect, the Committee of Ministers underlines that Article 30 of the European Social Charter (revised) is of particular significance as States Parties undertake to give effect to the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion by adopting measures aimed at preventing and removing obstacles to access to fundamental social rights, in particular employment, housing, training, education, culture and social and medical assistance. The Committee of Ministers also drew attention to the ongoing “Turin Process” aimed at improving the implementation of fundamental social and economic rights in Europe, the proposals of which it recently examined for the first time. More information available on the Committee of Ministers and Parliamentary Assembly websites: https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=CM/AS(2015)Rec2058&Language;=lanEnglish&Ver;=final&Site;=CM

The United Nations Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, has urged European institutions, the International Monetary Fund and Greece to show courage and reach a deal on the Greek debt crisis that respects human rights.

[02/06/2015]  In a statement, Mr Bohoslavsky stressed that "The burden of adjustment must be shared in a fair manner, compliant with the obligations Greece and creditor States have assumed under the International Covenant of Social and Economic Rights, the European Social Charter and other international human rights standards". He also pointed out that "Human rights should not stop at the doors of international organisations and international financial institutions. They have to be respected when responsibilities are delegated by States to international bodies, such as the European Stability Mechanisism". More information: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16032&LangID=E

Seminar on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Montenegro, 5 May 2015, Podgorica

   [07/05/2015] A meeting on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by Montenegro was held in Podgorica on 5 May 2015. The meeting was opened by Ms Tijana Prelević, Head of the Department for Labour Relations, Labour Directorate, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and was attended by approximately 35 officials from various ministries as well as representatives of trade unions. Two members of the European Committee of Social Rights, Mr Lauri Leppik and Mr Marcin Wujczyk participated in this meeting, as well as Ms Niamh Casey and Ms Sheila Hirschinger of the Department of the European Social Charter. An exchange of views also took place on the Collective Complaints procedure and the European Code of Social Security.

Third Congress of occupational health and safety specialists (Sochi, Russian Federation, 13 to 17 April 2015)

  [14/04/2015]  This event was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Russian Federation, in cooperation with the Health and Safety Association 'ETALON', in the context of the Russian Health and Safety week. During the congress, on 14 April, Mr Regis Brillat, Executive Secretary of the European Committee of Social Rights, made a presentation on Article 3 of the European Social Charter on the right to safe and healthy working conditions. For more information, please consult: http://vssot.aetalon.ru/engl/vssot3.html
     

Conference on the future of the protection of social rights in Europe (Brussels, 12-13 February 2015)

[14/04/2015] Within the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of Europe the Federal Public Service Social Security 2015 and the Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, organised on the 12th and 13th of February a conference on the theme "The Future of the Protection of Social Rights in Europe" in Brussels. For more information, please visit the website of the Council of Europe www.coe.int/turinprocess

[12/04/2015]  The State Duma Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veterans’ Affairs held an exchange of views on the provisions of the European Social Charter not accepted by the Russian Federation, 10 April, Moscow.
The Council of Europe was represented by Matti Mikkola, former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Elena Machulskaya, member of the Committee and Régis Brillat, Executive Secretary of the Committee.

Motion for a Recommendation: The "Turin process for the European Social Charter"

[18/03/2015]  Mr Michele Nicoletti, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and General Rapporteur of the High-Level Conference on the European Social Charter (Turin, 17-18 October 2014) tabled a motion for a Report of the Assembly on the “Turin Process” and the European Social Charter. For more information, please visit the following web page:  www.assembly.coe.int

Presentation of the General Report of the High-level Conference on the European Social Charter

[05/02/2015]  Presentation of the General Report of the High-level Conference on the European Social Charter (Turin, 17-18 October 2014) by M. Michele Nicoletti, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, General Rapporteur of the Conference, to the Committee of Ministers. For more information, see the Council of Europe website
General Report on the High-level Conference on the European Social Charter

European Committee of Social Rights publishes its Conclusions for 2014

[22/01/2015] In 2014 the European Committee of Social Rights examined national reports submitted by the States Parties on the articles of the Charter relating to labour rights (Articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 21, 22, 26, 28 and 29) . The Committee adopted the conclusions regarding these articles at its session in December 2014 and introduced them to the Press on 22 January 2015. These conclusions are now public and are available here on the Social Charter website.

European Committee of Social Rights elects Giuseppe Palmisano as its president

[22/01/2015]  On 20 January 2015, during its 276th session, the European Committee of Social Rights elected its new Bureau for a period of two years. Giuseppe Palmisano was elected as new President of the Committee, Monika Schlachter and Petros Stangos were re-elected as Vice-presidents and finally Lauri Leppik was elected as the new General Rapporteur. The Bureau held its first meeting in this composition on 21 January 2015.

Launch of a new HUDOC Social Charter case-law database

[22/01/2015]  On the occasion of the publication of the European Committee of Social Rights’ Conclusions 2014, the Executive Secretary of the Committee, Régis Brillat, announced the launch of a new HUDOC Social Charter case-law database. The new database, set up in cooperation with the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, provides enhanced research tools with an enriched yet simple to use interface and already contains the Conclusions published today.

European Committee of Social Rights

Session of the European Committee of Social Rights in StrasbourgThe 282nd  session of the European Committee of Social Rights will be held in Strasbourg from 30 November to 4 December 2015.

Synopsis of the 281st session
 
Agenda of the 282nd session

Exchanges of views with the Committee

Activity reports

Collective Complaints

New complaint registered

- European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) v. France, Complaint No. 119/2015
[06/11/2015]  The complaint was registered on 19 October 2015 and relates to Articles 17§2 and 10§5, as well as Articles 16, 30 and 31 read in conjunction with Article E of the Revised Charter.. It has been lodged by the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) against France and concerns the rights of Roma children. ERTF alleges that France fails to effectively protect the rights of Roma children, in particular as regards their access to education and vocational training.
Complaint No. 119/2015 (French only)  Collective complaints website

Six Resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers

[18/06/2015]  The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following Resolutions on 17 June 2015 at the 1231st meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies :

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)8, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 09/09/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Finnish Society of Social Rights v. Finland, Complaint No.88/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)9, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 02/12/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Ireland, Complaint No.93/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)10, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 05/12/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Slovenia, Complaint No.95/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)11, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 20/01/2015 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Czech Republic, Complaint No.96/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)12, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 20/01/2015 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Belgium, Complaint No.98/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)13, making public the decision on the merits adopted on 17/03/2015 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) v. Sweden, Complaint No. 99/2013.In this decision the European Committee of Social Rights unanimously concludes that there is no violation of Article 11 of the Charter.(more information)

The decisions on admissibility of the complaints EUROMIL v. Ireland (No.112/2014) and EUROCEF v. France (No.114/2015) have been adopted

[15/07/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights adopted the following decision on admissibility at its last session on 30 June 2015:
- the decision on admissibility in the case European Organisation of Military Associations (EUROMIL) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 112/2014. The complaint registered on 4 November 2014, relates to Articles 5 and 6 of the Revised European Social Charter. EUROMIL alleges that Defence Forces representative associations in Ireland do not have full trade unions rights including the right to join an unbrella organisation, in breach of the above mentioned provisions.
Decision on admissibility No. 112/2014   Collective complaints website

- the decision on admissibility in the case European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action for the Child and the Family (EUROCEF) v. France, Complaint No. 114/2015. The complaint was registered on 27 February 2015 and relates to Articles 7, 11, 13, 14, 17, 30, 31 and E of the Revised European Social Charter. EUROCEF alleges that France fails to fulfill its obligations under the above mentioned provisions of the Charter for the accommodation and care of foreign unaccompanied minors.
Decision on admissibility No. 114/2015   Collective complaints website

The decision on admissibility in the case Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) v. Greece, Complaint No. 111/2014, has been adopted

[05/06/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights adopted the decision on admissibility at its last session on 19 May 2015 with regard to the case Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) v. Greece, Complaint No. 111/2014. The decision is now available on line. The complaint relates to Article 1 (the right to work), Article 2 (the right to just conditions of work), Article 4 (the right to a fair remuneration) and Article 7 (the right of children and young persons to protection) of the 1961 Charter, as well as Article 3 of the 1988 Additional Protocol (the right to take part in the determination and improvement of the working conditions and working environment). The complainant trade union, GSEE, alleges that some of the new legislation enacted as part of the austerity measures adopted in Greece during the economic and financial crisis affects workers’ rights in a manner that is contrary to the Charter.
Decision on admissibility No. 111/2014   Collective complaints website

The decisions on the merits adopted by the European Committee of Social Rights in the cases Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Czech Republic (No. 96/2013) and Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Belgium (98/2013) are now public.

[29/05/2015]  The decisions of the European Committee of Social Rights on the merits of the complaints Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 96/2013 (more information) , and Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Belgium , Complaint No. 98/2013, (more information), became public on 29 May 2015 and are now available on line. The complaints deal with the prohibition of corporal punishment of children. In its decisions, the Committee found that, in the Czech Republic and Belgium, the corporal punishment of children is not prohibited in a sufficiently clear, binding and precise manner under domectic legislation or case-law, as regards the Czech Republic, contrary to Article 17 of the 1961 Charter (the right of mothers and children to social and economic protection) and as regards Belgium, contrary to Article 17 of the Revised Charter (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection).  
Decision on the merits No. 96/2013
Decision on the merits No. 98/2013
Collective complaints website

The decisions on the merits adopted by the European Committee of Social Rights in the cases Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Ireland (No. 93/2013) and Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Slovenia (95/2013) are now public.

[27/05/2015]  The decisions of the European Committee of Social Rights on the merits of the complaints Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Ireland, Complaint No. 93/2013 (more information) , and Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Slovenia, Complaint No. 95/2013, (more information), became public on 27 May 2015 and are now available on line. The complaints deal with the prohibition of corporal punishment of children. In its decisions, the Committee found that, in Ireland and Slovenia, the corporal punishment of children is not prohibited in a sufficiently clear, binding and precise manner under domectic legislation or case-law, contrary to Article 17 of the Charter (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection). 
Decision on the merits No. 93/2013
Decision on the merits No. 95/2013
Collective complaints website

New complaint registered

- Confédération Générale du Travail Force Ouvrière (CGT-FO) v. France, Complaint No.118/2015
[12/05/2015]  The complaint was registered on 29 April 2015 and relates to Article 6 of the Revised European Social Charter. It has been lodged by the Confédération Générale du Travail Force Ouvrière (CGT-FO) against France and concerns the trade unions rights. CGT-FO alleges that the conditions imposed by the French legislation on supplementary social protection of employees and more specifically on the choice of an insuring body do not comply with Article 6§2 of the European Social Charter.
Complaint No. 118/2015 (French only)  Collective complaints website

New complaint registered

- Transgender Europe and ILGA-Europe v. Czech Republic, Complaint No. 117/2015
[27/04/2015]  The complaint was registered on 30 March 2015 and relates to Article 11 alone or in conjunction with the non-discrimination principle stated in the Preamble to the European Social Charter (“The 1961 Charter”). It has been lodged jointly by both Transgender Europe and ILGA-Europe against the Czech Republic. The complainant organisations allege that the legal requirement of sterilization imposed on trans people wishing to change their personal documents so that they reflect their gender identity is in breach of the above mentioned provisions of the 1961 Charter.
Complaint No. 117/2015 Collective complaints website

New complaint registered

- Matica hrvatskih sindikata v. Croatia, Complaint No.116/2015
[22/04/2015]  The complaint was registered on 24 March 2015 and relates to Articles 5 and 6 of the European Social Charter (“1961 Charter”). It has been lodged by MATICA - The Association of Croatian Trade Unions against Croatia and concerns the trade unions rights. The complainant organisation alleges that Act No. 143/2012 on Withdrawal of Certain Material Rights of the Employed in Public Services implemented by the Government of Croatia on 20 December 2012 was adopted in violation of the above provisions of the 1961 Charter.
Complaint No. 116/2015 Collective complaints website

Four new Resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers

[16/04/2015] The Committee of Ministers has adopted the following Resolutions:

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)5, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 01/07/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Conference of European Churches (CEC) v. The Netherlands, Complaint No.90/2013. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)4, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 02/07/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) v. The Netherlands, Complaint No.86/2012. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)6, concerning the follow-up of the decision on the merits adopted on 12/09/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. France, Complaint No.92/2013. (more information)

- Resolution CM/ResChS(2015)7, making public the decision on the merits adopted on 05/12/2014 by the European Committee on Social Rights in the case Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. Italy, Complaint No.94/2013.In this decision the European Committee of Social Rights unanimously concludes that there is no violation of Article 17§1 of the Charter.
Decision on the merits No.94/2013   Collective complaints website

New complaint registered

- European Federation of Employees in Public Services (EUROFEDOP) v. Greece, Complaint No.115/2015
[10/04/2015]  The complaint was registered on 12 March February 2015 and relates to Article 1§2 of the 1961 European Social Charter. It has been lodged by the European Federation of Employees in Public Services (EUROFEDOP) against Greece and concerns the terms of work of the Medical Officers Doctors. The complainant organisation alleges that regulations concerning the length of compulsory service imposed on Medical Officer-Doctors of the Armed Forces in Greece violate the above mentioned provision of the 1961 Charter.
Complaint No. 115/2015 Collective complaints website

New complaint registered

- European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action for the Child and the Family (EUROCEF) v. France, Complaint No. 114/2015
[08/04/2015]  The complaint was registered on 27 February 2015 and relates to Articles 7, 11, 13, 14, 17, 30, 31 and E of the Revised European Social Charter. It has been lodged by the European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action for the Child and the Family (EUROCEF) against France. The complainant organisation alleges that France fails to fulfill its obligations under the above mentioned provisions of the Charter for the accommodation and care of foreign unaccompanied minors.
Complaint No. 114/2015 (French only) Collective complaints website

The decision on admissibility in the case Associatione sindacale « La Voce dei Giusti » v. Italy, Complaint No. 105/2014, has been adopted

[07/04/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights adopted the decision on admissibility at its last session on 17 March 2015 with regard to the case Associatione sindacale « La Voce dei Giusti » v. Italy, Complaint No. 105/2014. The complaint relates to Article 10 (right to vocational training) of the Revised European Social Charter, read alone or in conjunction with the non-discrimination clause set forth in Article E. It concerns the right to vocational training for teaching staff of the so-called third category.
Decision on admissibility No. 105/2014   Collective complaints website

The decision on admissibility in the case International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 110/2014, has been adopted

[24/03/2015]  The European Committee of Social Rights adopted the decision on admissibility at its last session on 17 March 2015 with regard to the case International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) v. Ireland, Complaint No. 110/2014. The decision is now available on line. The complaint relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 16 (right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 17 (right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection) and 30 (right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) of the Revised European Social Charter, read alone or in conjunction with the non-discrimination clause set forth in Article E of the Revised European Social Charter. The complainant organisation, FIDH, alleges that Irish law, policy and practices on social housing do not comply with European housing, social protection and anti-discrimination standards, in breach of the above mentioned provisions. (more information)
Decision on admissibility No. 110/2014   Collective complaints website

The decision on the merits adopted by the European Committee of Social Rights in the complaint Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. France is public

[04/03/2015]  The decision of the European Committee on Social Rights on the merits of the complaint Association for the Protection of All Children (APPROACH) Ltd v. France, Complaint No. 92/2013 became public on 4 March 2015 and is now available on line. In its decision, the Committee holds that there is no sufficiently clear, binding and precise prohibition of corporal punishment set out in French law, contrary to Article 17 of the Charter (the right of mothers and children to social and economic protection).  (more information)
Decision on the merits No. 92/2013
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INGOs which enjoy participatory status with the Council of Europe and wish to register for the first time on the list of INGOs entitled to submit collective complaints, are invited to send the request by 4 September 2015, on letter-headed paper, to the mailbox:
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