European Committee of Social Rights: 2020 conclusions on employment, training and equal opportunities

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) published its 2020 conclusions on the provisions of the European Social Charter: 

• the right to work (Article 1);
• the right to vocational guidance (Article 9);
• the right to vocational training (Article 10);
• the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation in the life of the community (Article 15);
• the right to engage in a gainful occupation in the territory of other States Parties (Article 18);
• the right to equal opportunities and equal treatment in matters of employment and occupation without discrimination on the grounds of sex (Article 20);
• the right to protection in cases of termination of employment (Article 24);
• the right of workers to the protection of their claims in the event of the insolvency of their employer (Article 25).

Under the report procedure, the Committee adopted 349 conclusions concerning 33 states, including 152 conclusions of non-compliance and 97 conclusions of compliance. In 100 cases of referrals, the Committee was unable to assess the situation due to the lack of information.

The Committee also published its 2020 conclusions concerning Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal on the follow-up of decisions (in the framework of collective complaints).

Regarding Italy, the Committee concluded that there had been a violation of Article E in conjunction with Article 31§1 due to inadequate living conditions in camps or similar settlements for Roma who choose to follow an itinerant lifestyle or are forced to do so (§12 of the decision). In particular, the Committee found that Italy failed to demonstrate that it had taken adequate measures to ensure that Roma were offered accommodation in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their special needs. Italy also failed to demonstrate that it had ensured or taken steps to ensure that local authorities fulfilled their responsibilities in this area (§37 of the decision).