The implementation of the European Social Charter by States Parties is supervised by the European Committee of Social Rights through the collective complaints procedure and the reporting system. 

Through its complementary supervisory procedures, the European Committee of Social Rights monitors compliance with the European Social Charter by States Parties and provides insight into the full implementation of the social rights dimension of human rights.

 

Monitoring Procedures
Reporting Procedure

Reporting Procedure

 The reporting system is set out in Part IV of the 1961 Charter as amended by the 1991 Turin Protocol  (ETS No. 142), which is applied on the basis of a decision taken by the Committee of Ministers.

Collective Complaints

Collective Complaints

The collective complaints procedure was introduced by the Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints  adopted in 1995 and which entered into force in 1998.

Ad Hoc Reporting Procedure

Ad Hoc Reporting Procedure

Following a 2022 decision from the Committee of Ministers, which spearheaded the 2022 reform of the European Social Charter, States Parties can be asked to submit ad hoc reports for analysis or review by the European Committee of Social Rights. Such reports may be requested when new or critical issues arise with a broad or transversal scope or with a pan-European dimension. 

In September 2022, the European Committee of Social Rights adopted a decision to henceforth implement the procedure on non-accepted provisions in a reinforced manner, for all States Parties to either Charter (the 1961 version or the 1996 version). The reporting procedure on non-accepted provisions aims to encourage States Parties to progressively accept all the Charter’s provisions. More...

Bodies involved in the monitoring procedures
European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR)

European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR)

The European Committee of Social Rights, composed of 15 independent experts, monitors compliance with the Charter. States Parties have an obligation to cooperate with the Committee and its jurisprudence (both decisions and conclusions). This obligation arises from the application of the principle of good faith to the observance of all treaty obligations. 

Governmental Committee

Governmental Committee

The Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter, 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.

Committee of Ministers

Committee of Ministers

The follow up of ECSR conclusions is ensured by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, ensuing proposals made by the Governmental Committee.

Organisations that can provide information
(I)NGOs

(I)NGOs

National and international non-governmental organisations can engage with the European Committee of Social Rights under the two monitoring procedures related to the European Social Charter.

NHRIs & Equality Bodies

NHRIs & Equality Bodies

National Human Rights institutions and Equality Bodies can engage with the European Committee of Social Rights under the two monitoring procedures related to the European Social Charter.

Trade unions

Trade unions

Information available soon

Where to find information
Country profiles

Country profiles

All the 46 member States of the Council of Europe have signed one of the two versions of the European Social Charter. 42 of them have ratified either version and 16 have accepted the Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints.

Decisions and Conclusions

Decisions and Conclusions

Statements of interpretation

Statements of interpretation

Statements of interpretation of the European Committee of Social Rights - Social Rights (coe.int)

events

Back 315th session of the European Committee of Social Rights by videoconference

315th session of the European Committee of Social Rights by videoconference

In view of the deteriorating situation concerning COVID-19, the European Committee of Social Rights will entirely hold its 315th session by remote participation from 7 to 11 September 2020.

The Committee will continue the examination of the national reports for conclusions 2020 of the revised Social Charter, as well as conclusions XXII-1 (2020) of the 1961 Charter with respect to the provisions belonging to thematic group 1 “employment, training and equal opportunities”.

The Committee will also examine several pending collective complaints and will proceed with the examination of the follow-up to decisions in collective complaints.

The Committee will also take stock of the situation related to the procedure provided for by Article 22 of the European Social Charter on “non-accepted provisions”. In view of the situation related to COVID-19 and uncertainties regarding travel restrictions, some of the meetings scheduled for 2020 were replaced, where possible, with written reports, in agreement with the respective authorities.

In addition, the Bureau of the European Committee of Social Rights will meet virtually with the Bureau of the Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter and the European Code of Social Security to discuss, among other issues, the follow-up to the report of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH).

Strasbourg, France 7-11/09/2020
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Contact

Department of Social Rights

Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
Council of Europe
1, quai Jacoutot
F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex

Tél. +33 (0)3 90 21 49 61

www.coe.int/socialcharter

@CoESocialRights

 

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