Violation of the European Social Charter in Greece by the Commission, as a member of the troika
| 31 March 2015 |
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| Question for written answer to the Commission Rule 130 Notis Marias (ECR) |
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On 22 April 2013, the European Committee of Social Rights published five decisions on collective complaints. These had filed by Greek trade unions against the austerity measures imposed by the troika, in amendment of Greece’s public and private pension schemes. The Committee found that the reform of the pension systems, involving significant benefit cutbacks, had restricted social security entitlements in Greece and violated the European Social Charter.
According to Article 151 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, the actions of the Union and the Member States must conform to the fundamental social rights set out in the European Social Charter of 1961.
As the agent of the Member States within the troika, the Commission is involved in the infringement of these fundamental social rights.
1. How does the Commission, the supposed guardian of the treaties, justify the treaty infringement described?
2. What measures does it plan to take to end this violation?
Source: European Parliament
| Answer given by Mr Moscovici on behalf of the Commission | |
| Within the framework of the economic adjustment programme, the Commission, together with the other institutions, discusses and negotiates the broad outlines of reform policies. However, the detailed implementation of such policies, including exact entitlements to pensions and benefits, is the responsibility of the Greek authorities.
The European Social Charter is not a binding instrument under Union law and as such does not impose legal obligations upon the Union and its Member States in the EU legal order. The Commission has not assessed the compliance of these measures with the European Social Charter. It is for the Member State to ensure that measures they take are compliant with the European Social Charter. |
Source: European Parliament
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