The European regional system for the protection of human rights has focused, traditionally, on civil and political rights, with less emphasis on social, economic, and cultural rights. The collective complaint mechanism of the European Social Charter 2 may have the potential to change this. Inaugurated in 1998, the procedure has produced a number of decisions with far-reaching implications for law and policy in the Charter’s member states. In the case under review, the European Committee of Social Rights dealt with the right to