Democrats Table Bill to Reform Andorra's Collective Conflict Law After Court Ruling
Andorra's Democrats propose making arbitration voluntary in most collective labour disputes following a court decision invalidating mandatory processes. Exceptions apply to critical strikes, ensuring minimum services and constitutional rights.
Key Points
- Constitutional Court ruled three Article 6 subsections unconstitutional for limiting court access.
- Arbitration in collective disputes becomes voluntary, with binding awards but more judicial review.
- Mandatory arbitration limited to essential services strikes or national crises.
- Bill backed by parliamentary majority, led by Democrats' Jordi Jordana, advances in legislature.
The Democratic parliamentary group has tabled a qualified bill to revise Andorra's 2018 Law on Collective Conflict Measures, in response to a Constitutional Court ruling on March 13.
The decision found three subsections of Article 6 unconstitutional, as mandatory arbitration producing binding awards with limited judicial review breached the constitutional right to access courts under Article 10.1. This followed a legal challenge by Coopalsa over a labour dispute with its drivers' works council, where the company contested the imposed arbitration process and restrictions on appealing the award.
Under the proposed changes, arbitration in general collective disputes will become voluntary, requiring agreement from both sides, while awards remain binding but with enhanced judicial scrutiny. Mandatory arbitration will apply only in limited scenarios, such as strikes endangering strictly essential services or major national crises, subject to a justified and proportionate government decision.
For strikes impacting essential public services or unavoidable activities, the government must ensure minimum service levels to safeguard public needs.
The bill also adjusts the Arbitration Law to allow collective disputes to be handled by arbitral institutions.
Jordi Jordana, leader of the Democrats, said the reforms ensure "a balance between effective conflict resolution mechanisms, protection of the public interest, and respect for fundamental rights under the Constitution, particularly access to courts and collective bargaining."
Backed by the parliamentary majority, the bill has entered the legislative process and is expected to advance in upcoming sessions.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Els arbitratges per conflictes laborals ja no es podran forçar
- El Periòdic•
DA impulsa una reforma perquè l’arbitratge en els conflictes col·lectius sigui voluntari com a norma general
- El Periòdic•
La majoria impulsa una reforma perquè l’arbitratge en els conflictes col·lectius sigui voluntari com a norma general
- Bon Dia•
DA entra a tràmit el text que fa que l'arbitratge general passi a ser voluntari i basat en el consentiment de les parts