Andorra Accepts Article 28 of Revised European Social Charter

Andorra's Minister for Social Affairs, Trini Marín, announced on Thursday that the country has accepted Article 28 of the Revised European Social Charter during a high-level conference in Chisinau, Moldova, organised by the Council of Europe under Moldova's presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

The decision strengthens protections for workers' representatives within companies, ensuring they receive effective safeguards against dismissal or sanctions linked to their representational activities, along with necessary facilities to perform their duties. These measures align with existing Andorran labour legislation, which already prohibits the dismissal or disciplining of employee delegates, company committee members, or those with representational mandates during their term and for a subsequent period—at least half the mandate's duration. Current rules also provide paid representation hours scaled to company size.

A bill currently before parliament would extend these protections to candidates, barring their dismissal for six months after elections.

The Revised European Social Charter, in force since 2005 and recognised as one of the most comprehensive international instruments on social rights, now counts more than half of its provisions accepted by Andorra. Officials described the step as reinforcing the Principality's commitment to advancing social rights and aligning national standards with European mechanisms.

The conference gathered ministers, government representatives, civil society members, and academics to discuss social policy challenges, including rising living costs, population ageing, and climate change. Marín moderated a roundtable titled "Strengthening the Implementation of Social Rights: Assessment of the Charter's System Reform," featuring participants such as Tatiana Puiu, vice-president of the European Committee of Social Rights. Discussions focused on enhancing the Charter's role in guiding state policies amid contemporary pressures.