Constitutionality action alleging failure to protect and fulfill right to social security, workers’ rights and principle of progressiveness. Court order requiring Asamblea Nacional (Parliament) to remedy failure and to pass unemployment benefit scheme.
With delays, the Asamblea Nacional passed a Special Law regulating an Employment Benefits Scheme, in which benefits for forced discontinuation under unemployment conditions are also considered. The new law was passed on August 29, 2005 and published in the official bulletin No. 38281 on September 27, 2005. (Source: Organización Programa Venezolano de Educación Acción en Derechos Humanos, Provea)
This case shows the willingness of the Judiciary to question the Legislative Power’s failures affecting economic and social rights, including, in this particular case, the right to work. In general, courts are reluctant to declare the unconstitutionality of failures by the legislative power. That is why this case has significant value.
Petitioners: Organización Programa Venezolano de Educación Acción en Derechos Humanos (Provea) (http://www.provea.org.ve).