The President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Prof. Luis Jimena Quesada, has expressed his satisfaction at Austria’s ratification of the Revised European Social Charter, making it the 31st State Party to this Council of Europe treaty which safeguards social rights. Forty-three countries have now ratified either the 1961 Charter or the Revised Charter (more information).

"I congratulate Austria on its commitment to fundamental social rights. The success of the ratification process is due in no small part to the close cooperation between the Austrian authorities and the Council of Europe," Mr Jimena said.

"The 12 remaining countries still bound by the 1961 Charter should follow the same course as Austria. I would like to see the four States which have still not ratified the Charter (Liechtenstein, Monaco, Saint Marino and Switzerland) do so in the near future. I also strongly encourage the States Parties which have not yet done so to accept the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints mechanism. The 50th anniversary celebration of the Charter provides an ideal opportunity for all the member States of the Council of Europe to agree to be bound by the same treaties, " Mr Jimena concluded.