Rights of migrants by the European Social Charter
The European Social Charter supplements the European Convention on Human Rights in the field of economic and social rights. It lays down various fundamental rights and freedoms and establishes supervisory mechanism based on a system of collective complaints and national reports, guaranteeing their respect by State Parties. The Charter was amended in 1996 and is now ratified by 43 of the 47 Council of Europe member States (32 being bound by the Revised Charter and 11 by the original Charter).
Many of the rights guaranteed by the Charter have relevance to migrant workers. Articles 18 and 19 contain rights governing exclusively the rights of migrant workers and their families to protection and assistance. Migrants are considered more vulnerable to for example racism, discrimination, exclusion, and other difficulties, such as finding suitable accommodation. Article E of the Revised Charter, contains a non-discrimination clause.