Netherlands
The Netherlands ratified the 1961 European Social Charter on 22/04/1980, accepting 71 (initially 69) of its 72 paragraphs and the Revised European Social Charter on 03/05/2006, accepting 97 of its 98 paragraphs (only applying to the Kingdom in Europe)
It ratified the 1988 Additional Protocol on 05/08/1992, accepting 3 of its 4 paragraphs and the 1991 Amending Protocol on 01/06/1993. 11 paragraphs (namely, Articles 1, 5, 6, 16 of the 1961 Charter and Article 1 of the 1988 Additional Protocol) remain applicable to Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Part (special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba).
The Netherlands accepted the 1995 Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints on 03/05/2006 but has not yet made a declaration enabling national NGOs to submit collective complaints.
The Charter in domestic law
Automatic incorporation into domestic law.
Country factsheets
The country factsheets include detailed information on the findings of the European Committee of Social Rights when monitoring the application of the Charter at national level, as well as examples of progress in the implementation of the rights protected by the Charter.
Latest Ad hoc Report by the Netherlands
- Ad hoc Report on the cost-of-living crisis submitted by the Netherlands, 21 December 2023
- Ad hoc Report on the on the cost-of-living crisis submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao , 11 December 2023
See previous reports in respect of the Netherlands
Latest conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR)
- Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2020 concerning the Netherlands (Thematic group Employment, training and equal opportunities)
Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2020 concerning Curacao (Thematic group Employment, training and equal opportunities)
Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2020 concerning Sint Maarten (Thematic group Employment, training and equal opportunities) - Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2019 concerning the Netherlands Curaçao (Thematic group Children, families and migrants)
- Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2022 concerning the Curacao (Thematic group Labour rights)
Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2018 concerning the Netherlands (Thematic group Labour rights)
Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2018 concerning Aruba (Thematic group Labour rights) - Conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights 2017 concerning the Netherlands (Thematic group Health, social security and social protection)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (HUDOC)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (Antilles) (HUDOC)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (Aruba) (HUDOC)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (Curaçao) (HUDOC)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (Sint Maarten) (HUDOC)
See all conclusions in respect of the Netherlands (Special Caribbean municipalities) (HUDOC)
Latest findings of the European Committee of Social Rights
Findings 2019 of the European Committee of Social Rights on the follow-up to decisions on the merits in collective complaints in respect of the Netherlands
Table of accepted and non-accepted provisions by the Netherlands
Grey = Accepted provisions
| 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 5 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.10 | 8.1 |
| 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 9 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 11.1 | 11.2 |
| 11.3 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 12.3 | 12.4 | 13.1 | 13.2 | 13.3 | 13.4 | 14.1 | 14.2 | 15.1 |
| 15.2 | 15.3 | 16 | 17.1 | 17.2 | 18.1 | 18.2 | 18.3 | 18.4 | 19.1 | 19.2 | 19.3 |
| 19.4 | 19.5 | 19.6 | 19.7 | 19.8 | 19.9 | 19.10 | 19.11 | 19.12 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26.1 | 26.2 | 27.1 | 27.2 | 27.3 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31.1 |
| 31.2 | 31.3 | ||||||||||
Meetings and reports on non-accepted provisions
- 1st report on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter - 2011
- 2nd report on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter - 2016
- 3rd report on the non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter by the Netherlands, 2021
Collective complaints procedure
The Netherlands accepted the 1995 Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints on 03/05/2006 but has not yet made a declaration enabling national NGOs to submit collective complaints.
The complaint was registered on 17 January 2013. The complainant organisation, the Conference of European Churches, alleges that the Dutch government has failed to fulfil its obligations under the European Social Charter to respect the rights of undocumented adults to food, clothing and shelter. The complainant organisation alleges that law and practice in the Netherlands is not in conformity with Article 13 § 4 (the right to social and medical assistance – specific emergency assistance for non-residents) and Article 31 § 2 (the right to housing – reduction of homelessness).
- Case Document no. 1, Complaint registered on 17 January 2013
- Case Document no. 2, Observations from the Government on the admissibility
- Case Document no. 3, Request for immediate measures
- Case Document no. 4, Submissions of the Government on the merits
- Case Document no. 5, Submissions of the Government in response to the request for immediate measures
- Case Document no. 6, Response of CEC to the submissions of the Government on the merits
- Case Document no. 7, Further response of the Government
The European Committee of Social Rights declared the complaint admissible on 1 July 2013.
The European Committee of Social Rights adopted a decision on immediate measures on 25 October 2013.
The European Committee of Social Rights concluded that there was a violation of Articles 13§4 and 31§2 of the Charter and transmitted its report containing its decision on the merits of the complaint to the Parties and to the Committee of Ministers on 9 July 2014.
The Committee of Ministers adopted Resolution Res/CM ChS (2015)5 on 15 April 2015.
Decision on admissibility of Complaint 90/2013
Decision on immediated measures of Complaint 90/2013
Decision on the merits of the Complaint 90/2013
Resolution ResChS(2015)1 of the Committee of Ministers on 15 April 2015
Findings of the European Committee of Social Rights on the follow-up of the Complaint
Previous national reports by the Netherlands
- 16th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the government of Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2018-31/12/2021)
- 15th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the government of Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2017-31/12/2020)
- 14th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the government of Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2016-31/12/2019)
Comments by Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists - 13th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the government of Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2015-31/12/2018)
- 12th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2014-31/12/2017. Conclusions published in 2019
Comments from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands on the 12th simplified report - 11th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2013-31/12/2016. Conclusions published in 2018
Comments from FNV on the 11th report by the Netherlands - 10th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2012 - 31/12/2015). Conclusions published in 2017
- 9th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2014). Conclusions published in 2016
Comments from Amnesty International on the follow-up to collective complaints presented in the 9th National report by the Netherlands - 8th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2013). Conclusions published in 2015
Addendum to the 8th report (Article 31§1 and 31§3)
Comments from FNV on the 8th National report by the Netherlands
Comments from SGBV on the 8th National report by the Netherlands - 7th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2012). Conclusions published in 2014
Addendum to the 7th report (Articles 2§3 and 5 ; 26§1 and 2) - 6th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2008 - 31/12/2011). Conclusions published in 2013
- 5th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2010). Conclusions published in 2012
Reply to supplementary questions: Art 24
5th report Reply 1§2
Comments on the 5th report by the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation FNV - 4th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2009). Conclusions published in 2011
NGO Contribution to the 4th report
Observations of the Dutch Government on the NGO
Shadow report - 3rd National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2008). Conclusions published in 2010
Comments from the Netherlands Trade Union
Confederation FNV and the National Federation of
Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands CNV on the 3rd report - 2nd National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2007). Conclusions published in 2009
- 1st National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2006). Conclusions published in 2008
1961 Charter
- 20th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (Reference Period: 01/01/2004 - 31/12/2006). Conclusions published in 2008 - XIX-1
- 19th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands (includes 9th report on Additional Protocol) (Reference Period: 01/01/2001 - 31/12/2004). Conclusions published in 2006 - XIII-2
Netherlands Antilles - 1961 Charter
- 10th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Antilles (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2009). Conclusions published in 2011 - XIX-4
- 9th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Antilles (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2008). Conclusions published in 2010 - XIX-3
- 8th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Antilles (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2006). Conclusions published in 2009 - XIX-2
Netherlands Aruba - 1961 Charter
- 12th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2021)
- 11th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2013 - 31/12/2016). Conclusions published in 2018 - XXI-3
- 10th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2014). Conclusions published in 2016 - XXI-1
- 9th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2013). Conclusions published in 2015 - XX-4
- 8th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2012). Conclusions published in 2014 - XX-3
- 6th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2008 - 31/12/2011). Conclusions published in 2012 - XX-1
- 5th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2009). Conclusions published in 2011 - XIX-4
- 4th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2008). Conclusions published in 2010 - XIX-3
- 3rd National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Aruba (Reference Period: 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2006). Conclusions published in 2009 -XIX-2
Netherlands Curaçao - 1961 Charter
- 10th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2021).
- 9th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2016 - 31/12/2019).
- 8th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018). Conclusions published in 2020 - XXII-1
- 7th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2014 - 31/12/2017). Conclusions published in 2019 - XXI-4
- 6th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2013 - 31/12/2016). Conclusions published in 2018 - XXI-3
- 5th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2014). Conclusions published in 2016 - XXI-1
- 4th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2013). Conclusions published in 2015 - XX-4
- 3rd National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Curaçao (Reference Period: 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2012). Conclusions published in 2014 - XX-3
Netherlands Saint Martin - 1961 Charter
- 1st National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter submitted by the governement of the Netherlands Saint Martin (Reference Period: 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2010). Conclusions published in 2012 -XX-1