Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security

The Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and European Code of Social Security, composed of representatives of the States party to the Charter and assisted by observers representing European employers’ organisations and trade unions (European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Business Europe (ex UNICE) and International Organisation of Employers (IOE), considers conclusions of non-conformity adopted by the European Committee of Social Rights in the months following their publication.

The State concerned must be in a position to set out the measures which it has taken or which it is contemplating taking in order to remedy the situation and, in the latter case, has to provide a timetable for achieving compliance.

In the event that the Governmental Committee considers that it is not envisaged to remedy a violation and take action on a decision of non-compliance, it may propose that the Committee of Ministers address a Recommendation to the State concerned. A recommendation calls on the State concerned to take appropriate measures to remedy the situation. Every year, the Governmental Committee presents a report to the Committee of Ministers.

Since 2001 this report has been submitted in an abridged version. Since 2002, the Governmental Committee has presented a report concerning the European Social Charter (revised) in addition to its report concerning the European Social Charter. Detailed reports are available below.

Bureau membership

Bureau members, elected for a 2-year period 2022-2023

Chairman: Aongus HORGAN (Ireland)
Member : Julie GOMIS (France)
Member: Velga LAZDINA-ZAKA (Latvia)
Member: Yvette KALDEN (The Netherlands)
Member: Ylber ZEJNULLAHU (Belgium)

Calendar of Meetings

Meetings in 2024

148th meeting of the GC, 13-17 May 2024
149th meeting of the GC, 25-29 November 2024

Meetings held in 2023

146th meeting of the GC, 9-12 May 2023
147th meeting of the GC, 27 November-1 December 2023

Relevant documents

CG(2021)9 Position paper on the follow-up to the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) report addressed to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Detailed reports

Report 2023 / Conclusions 2021 and XXII-1(2021)

GC(2023)14: Report concerning conclusions 2021 of the European Social Charter (revised)

GC(2023)20: Report concerning conclusions XXII-1(2021) of the 1961 European Social Charter

Report 2021 / Conclusions 2020 and XXII-1(2020)

Report 2020 / Conclusions 2019 and XX-4(2019)

Reports 2019 / Conclusions 2018 and XXI-3(2018)

Reports 2018 / Conclusions 2017 and XXI-2(2017)

Reports 2017 / Conclusions 2016 and XXI-1(2016)

Previous reports

Rules of procedure

Rules of procedure adopted by the GC of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security at its 146th meeting (May 2023)

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Back Reinforcing social rights protection in Europe: to achieve greater unity and equality

Expert seminar

The Department of the European Social Charter organised, under the auspices of the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, an expert seminar to discuss the protection of social rights in Europe so as to achieve greater unity and equality. The seminar also followed up on the Committee of Ministers declaration at its Helsinki session in May 2019. At that session, the Committee of Ministers invited all the member States concerned to consider signing and ratifying the revised European Social Charter and its Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints, as a starting point for a resolutely proactive and collective drive to combat inequalities and achieve greater social justice.

The European Social Charter and the European Committee of Social rights guarantee key principles such as free movement of persons, non-discrimination, legal and social security, protection against poverty and exclusion, access to decent housing, health, education and training, as well as employment, safety at work and equality at the workplace, including equal pay.

Participants were welcomed by Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Mattéi, Ambassador of France to the Council of Europe, and Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. An introduction on strengthening social rights to ensure social justice, national cohesion and the rule of law was pronounced by José Fernandez-Albertos, Researcher at Institute for Policies and Public Goods, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

The seminar was organised in liaison with the “Institut de recherche Carré de Malberg”, University of Strasbourg.