European Social Charter

HC Deb 03 July 2000 vol 353 c5W

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on how many EU member states have ratified, and accepted as legally binding, the European Social Charter in whole or in part. [127913]

Mr. Vaz

The Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers was adopted by 11 of the then 12 EU member states in December 1998, with the UK dissenting. The Charter was declaratory and is not legally binding.

Article 136 of the EC Treaty (Title XI), as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty 1997, mentions the Community Charter, alongside the European Social Charter 1961, within the context of the objectives of the social chapter of the Treaty. All 15 member states have ratified the Amsterdam Treaty.