ERRC v Bulgaria, Collective Complaint 48/2008 (discrimination, social assistance)

25 March 2014

The European Roma Rights Centre filed a collective complaint against Bulgaria, under the Revised European Social Charter. The ERRC claimed that 2006 and 2008 amendments to the Bulgarian Social Assistance Act, lowering the maximum time periods for which most unemployed persons of working age can obtain monthly social assistance benefits, deprives individuals of access to forms of social welfare support. Further, the ERRC claimed that these amendments would have a disparate and unjustified effect on Roma and women, amounting to a violation of Article 13 of the Revised European Social Charter, read alone or in conjunction with Article E (non-discrimination clause).

The Committee held unanimously that there was a violation of Article 13§1 of the Revised Charter and by 8 votes against 6 that it was not necessary to examine whether there had been a violation of Article E of the Revised Charter read in conjunction with Article 13§1.

• Admissibility decision by the European Committee of Social Rights
• Decision on the merits by the European Committee of Social Rights
• Resolution on the decision by the Committee of Ministers