A complaint of the Finnish Society for Social Rights against Finland has been admitted by the European Committee of Social Rights.
The complaint argued that Finland is in breach of the European Social Charter as unemployment benefits for elderly persons have been gradually reduced. The Finnish Society for Social Rights argued that the level of basic allowance, the labour market subsidy, falls below the requirements of the Charter.
In its decision the Committee unanimously concluded:
– that there is no violation of Article 12§3 of the Charter;
– that there is a violation of Article 13§1 of the Charter
The Committee concluded that the labour market subsidy, even taking into account its possible combination with other benefits, is not sufficient to enable its beneficiaries to meet their basic needs and therefore the situation is in violation of Article 13§1.
