European Social Charter

The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which was opened for signature on 18 October 1961 and initially became effective on 26 February 1965, after West Germany had become the fifth of the 13 signing nations to ratify it.

The basic rights set out in the Charter are as follows: housing,[2] health,[3] education, labour rights, full employment,[4] reduction of working hours[5] equal pay for equal work,[6] parental leave,[7] social security,[8] social and legal protection from poverty and social exclusion,[9] free movement of persons and non-discrimination, also the rights of migrant workers[10] and that of the persons with disabilities.

The Charter sets out human rights and freedoms and establishes a supervisory mechanism guaranteeing their respect by the States parties.

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) is the body responsible for monitoring compliance in the States party to the Charter.

The ECSR is composed of 15 independent members who are elected by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers for a period of six years, renewable once.