The Council of Europe has published a new guide for NGOs on engaging with the European Social Charter.
The European Social Charter is an international treaty protecting social and economic rights, such as trade unions rights, the right to work, social security, health or housing. It is the counterpart of the European Convention on Human Rights in the field of economic and social rights, and is therefore seen as the Social Constitution of Europe and represents an essential component of the continent’s human rights architecture. 43 of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe have ratified the Charter, and thereby have a legal obligation to implement the rights enshrined.
The guide explains the Collective Complaints procedure, which improves enforcement of rights by allowing certain organisations bring complaints against State Parties. It also outlines the reporting procedure, under which State Parties present a report on the accepted provisions relating to one of the four thematic groups (Group 1: employment, training and equal opportunities; Group 2: Health, social security and social protection; Group 3: Labour rights; Group 4: Children, families and migrants.)
Click here to read the guide, ‘How can How can (I)NGOs engage with the European Committee of Social Rights under the monitoring procedures of the European Social Charter’.
Click here for information on a collective complaint taken against Ireland on housing conditions on local authority estates.