The European Social Charter, adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996, is the counterpart of the European Convention on Human Rights in the field of economic and social rights. It guarantees a broad range of human rights related to employment, housing, health, education, social protection and welfare.
No other legal instrument at pan-European level provides such an extensive and complete protection of social rights as that provided by the Charter.
The Charter is therefore seen as the Social Constitution of Europe and represents an essential component of the continent's human rights architecture.
INTRODUCTION
What is the European Social Charter?
Two treaties
A tailored system
A tailored system
How is the implementation of the European Social Charter supervised?
An overview of rights under the Charter
THE COLLECTIVE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
What is the collective complaints procedure?
Which organisations can lodge complaints before the European Committee of Social Rights?
How can (I)NGOs bring a complaint to the European Committee of Social Rights?
How does the collective complaints procedure work?
How can organisations provide input with regard to collective complaints proceedings brought by others?
Where can information on previous collective complaints be found?
THE REPORTING PROCEDURE
What is the reporting procedure?
How can (I)NGOs submit additional information?
How does the reporting procedure work?
Where to find documentation relevant to past reporting?
