The European Social Charter: A Commentary

This authoritative commentary prepared by scholars from the Academic Network on the European Social Charter and Social Rights (ANESC) is intended for academic researchers studying social and economic rights in Europe and legal practitioners, civil society organisations, trade unions and state representatives engaging with the procedures of the European Committee of Social Rights. The text comprises contributions from a diverse group of experts, bringing together senior and young scholars from various countries and legal traditions, expertise in social and economic rights, coupled with a commitment to enhancing the European system for regulating these rights.

The commentary consists of 106 chapters, organised into eight volumes on the substantive obligations of State Parties to the European Social Charter and the practice of the European Committee of Social Rights. Other chapters delve into the procedures that state representatives, international bodies and applicants must follow to engage with the Charter system.

Volume 4 encompasses Articles 20 to 31, which enshrine several rights of workers, of the elderly, the right to housing, as well as the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion. In this commentary, these provisions are tackled not only through doctrinal lenses, but also taking into account the jurisprudence of the European Committee of Social Rights and other international standards.