Social Rights

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 355^th session (18–22 May 2026):

• The decision on admissibility in Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) v. Italy, Complaint No. 249/2025

The complaint was registered on 22 July 2025. It relates to Articles 3 (the right to safe and healthy working conditions) and 11§3 (the right to protection of health) of the revised European Social Charter.

UIL alleges that, despite a formally advanced regulatory framework, Italy fails to guarantee effective protection of the right to health and safety at work. UIL complains about the lack of effectiveness of the measures adopted to reduce the high number of accidents and deaths at work, and the lack of effectiveness of the inspection system due to shortcomings in reporting obligations and reduction in inspection coverage. UIL also complains about the inadequate training and education, shortcomings with respect to accessing the prevention and occupational health and safety services and shortcomings with respect to the role of employees’ representatives as well as the lack of effectiveness of sanctions and lack of data collection, in violation of the aforementioned provisions of the Charter.

The ECSR declared the complaint admissible on 19 May 2026.

• The decision on admissibility in The Finnish Trade Union of Education (OAJ) v. Finland, Complaint No. 256/2025

The complaint was registered on 18 December 2025. The complaint concerns Articles 6 (right to collective bargaining) and G (restrictions).

OAJ alleges that the Finnish government, through a recent series of legislative amendments and other governmental actions, has violated its commitments under the Revised European Social Charter. In particular, OAJ claims that Finland has failed to promote joint consultations and collective bargaining, has dictated the course of negotiations rather than acting as a genuine third party, has imposed unlawful preconditions on dispute resolution mechanisms, and has restricted the right to sympathy strikes based on purely economic grounds, in violation of the Charter.

The ECSR declared the complaint admissible on 19 May 2026.

• The decision on the merits in Eurochild v. Bulgaria, Complaint No. 221/2023

The complaint was registered on 14 February 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 13 (the right to social and medical assistance), 14 (the right to benefit from social welfare services), 17 (the right of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection), 27 (the right of workers with family responsibilities to equal opportunities and equal treatment) and 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter.

Eurochild alleges that due to a lack of a specific legal framework or National Strategy for the Child that sets the standards for early childhood development, the Bulgarian State has not ensured the implementation of effective, accessible and affordable early childhood education that is focused on the interests and needs of young children, in violation of the invoked Charter provisions.

Pursuant to Article 8§2 of the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints, this decision will not be made public until after the Committee of Ministers has adopted a resolution or a recommendation, or no later than four months after it has been transmitted to the Committee of Ministers.