A motion for an interlocutory injunction was brought to prevent the City of Toronto from enforcing its By-law that prohibited camping and erecting tents, structures, and shelters in City parks, City of Toronto Municipal Code, c. 608. The applicants did not challenge the validity of the By-law but sought an order to have it suspended …Read more

The applicants appealed a decision affirming the constitutionality of Brian’s Law (Mental Health Legislative Reform), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 9. (“Brian’s Law”), which was enacted by the Ontario legislature in 2000. Brian’s Law amended the Mental Health Act (“MHA”), adding provisions that expanded criteria for involuntary committal in a psychiatric hospital and introduced community treatment …Read more

The applicants’ claim was based on s. 27(1)(b) of the Constitution – the right to sufficient food and water, which they submitted found further expression in the provisions of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 (“WSA”). Their complaint argued that farm occupiers and labour tenants, especially the applicants, lacked “access to sufficient water, basic …Read more

The applicant, Mr. Slavko Krajnc, was a professional truck driver in Celje, Slovenia. On September 29, 2003, Krajnc was deemed to have “category III work-related disability” as a result of his epilepsy, which rendered him unable to work as a truck driver. Accordingly, he had the right to be assigned to a different, more suitable …Read more

The Plaintiff, who is a doctor worked on locum basis for the Defendant, which is a corporate entity and provided medical services. The Defendant offered the post of Medical Officer to the plaintiff with the condition that he is deemed medically fit. Thereafter the Defendant withdrew the appointment offer and informed the Plaintiff that he …Read more

From 1968 to early 2003 the applicants were employees at the state-owned Malta Drydocks Corporation (MDC), where they alleged they were exposed to asbestos. The applicants also alleged that the asbestos particles settled in their clothing and were carried home, affecting their private life. Asbestos had been known to be dangerous since the 1950s, however, …Read more

The plaintiff, the Health Insurance of the Construction Workers [Obra Social del Personal de la Construcción – OSPECON], filed suit against the National State, Ministry of Health and Social Action and Superintendent of Health Services to liquidate and transfer the corresponding funds from the Fondo Solidario de Distribución [Solidary Distribution Fund] created in law 23.661 to …Read more

Three applicants, who were all current or former prostitutes, challenged the constitutionality of three provisions of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985. The three provisions outlawed “bawdy-houses” (also referred to as brothels), “living on the avails” (living off of a prostitutes profits), and public communication with prostitutes. Prostitution was legal in Canada, however, Parliament was allowed …Read more

The applicants were five Norwegian nationals, a Swedish national and an Icelandic national. The applicants developed health problems such as obstructive lung diseases and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and became disabled. This had happened as a result of their deep diving jobs. They alleged that the working conditions and compromising safety had lead to …Read more

The appellant contracted a disease while on a business trip to the Chernobyl region to participate in work to contain the consequences of the nuclear disaster. He sought to receive employment compensation based on the disease he acquired and his resulting disability, without submitting an official report on an accident at work or an occupational …Read more

Mr. Y, Petitioner No.1, was a person belonging to the backward class. He held a valid driving license and was asked to apply for an interview to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Respondent, for the post of a driver. He was asked to submit his medical fitness certificate and certificate relating to eyesight to …Read more

Mr Mankayi brought an action for delictual (tort) damages against AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AngloGold). While working as an underground mineworker between January 1979 and September 1995, Mr Mankayi claimed to have been exposed to harmful dusts and gases that led to his contracting tuberculosis and a chronic obstructive airway condition; these ailments rendered him unable …Read more

Jocelyn and Mark Edwards were happily married and intended to have a child. They encountered some difficulties in conceiving and consulted a fertility clinic. Both subsequently agreed to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Mark had earlier expressed the importance to him of Jocelyn having their child before he was “unable” to, which was positively supported …Read more

The appellant claimed to have been infected by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) which the appellant received during his duties as dissection technician in the Forensic Anatomical Institute in Barcelona. He was diagnosed on July 4, 1997, took sick leave in August 19, 1999, and lodged a claim for financial liability of EUR 600,000, along …Read more

This case was a review of the constitutionality of the Agreement on Social Security signed between the governments of Spain and Ecuador, to provide nationals working in the companion State with the same benefits as they would receive in their home country. In Spain’s case, this required provision for temporary disability during mass outbreaks of …Read more

The applicants were three companies selling pre-packaged food items. They challenged the constitutionality of a 2009 law that restricted smoking in publically accessible closed spaces, for the protection of non-smokers and workers in such establishments. The law generally required that establishments either ban smoking or install smoking rooms. Establishments where the primary activity was serving …Read more

This case was about the difference in treatment provided by the law between civil servants and employees as concerned expenses incurred by claims relating to social security. The Anvers Court of Appeal asked the Constitutional Court about the validity of article 1017, paragraph 2, of the Belgian Judicial Code in regard to articles 10 and …Read more

Mr. Schultz-Hoff, an employee of Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (DRB) with a recognized disability, became unfit to work in September 2004 and was on continuous sick leave until the termination of his employment on September 30, 2005. On May 13, 2005, during his sick leave, Mr. Schultz-Hoff requested that he take his remaining paid annual leave …Read more

Jean Smith brought an action for damages against her employee, Northamptonshire Council, under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, for injuries she suffered in her employment. Ms. Smith was employed by the council as a driver and a carer. Her duties included picking up Mrs. Cotter, who was confined to a wheelchair, …Read more

The plaintiff, Agenor Pereira Dias Filho, filed an action against the National Congress before the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil, asking the Court to have §4 of article 40 of the Federal Constitution regulated. The plaintiff claimed that the nature of his work as nursing assistant subjected him to unhealthy working conditions and entitled him …Read more

Petitioner Hernán Antonio Barrero Bravo brought action challenging the constitutionality of Law 860 (Reform of the Social Security System law), alleging its violation of articles 48 (principle of progressive realization), 49 (principle of non-retrogression of social rights) and 53 (principle of non-retrogression in the protection given by the previous law) of the Constitution in changing …Read more

The Plaintiffs, parents of a worker who died in a fire at his workplace, sued their son´s employer for damages. They alleged that the employer had not implemented appropriate measures to deal with situations of emergency such as the fire that caused their son’s death. The lower court accepted the claim of the Plaintiffs, awarding …Read more

The Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) filed a writ petition against the Government, seeking urgent steps to be taken to prevent sexual harassment against women at the place of work or study. On the date the petition was filed, there existed no legislative provisions protecting women from abusive behavior by men in high-level positions …Read more

The appellant was assigned to ensure the proper alignment of the cargo containers when moving cargo containers into and out of a hatch within vessels. This required him to repeatedly enter and leave the hatch. He did so via the only means of access available to them – a metal rung ladder hanging vertically alongside …Read more

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office filed an extraordinary appeal against the decision of the First Region Federal Court, which ruled that crimes against employees amounting to conditions analogous to slavery (crime against the organization of work), exposure to risk of life and health of such workers, the frustration of their labor rights and omission of data …Read more

Circular No. 03-2006 of the Municipality of Oreamuno designated an area within the public building to serve as a smoking room in accordance with Law N°7501 (1995), which provided for such spaces. The designated area was the aisle leading to the kitchen. Petitioner sought relief from the alleged violation of her right to health as …Read more

A group of employees brought an action in negligence for damages against their employer, Chemical & Insulating Co, for exposure to asbestos in the course of their employment. The employees had been negligently exposed to asbestos and had as a consequence developed pleural plaques. This was the thickening of a layer of fibers on the …Read more

Appellant alleged she suffered a work-related injury resulting from her exposure to the toxic chemical Cyclohexanone causing dysphonia which left her virtually unable to speak for nine months and unable to work. Banco de Seguros del Estado (state insurance company) reviewed her case and found that she was not suffering from an occupational health disease …Read more

The Commission of the European Communities (Commission) brought an action against the United Kingdom for a declaration that provisions of section 2(1) of the UK Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Act), read in conjunction with sections 33 and 47 of that Act, permitted the United Kingdom to negate its obligations under Article …Read more

The Respondent, Monsanto Chemicals of India, was engaged in the formulation of herbicides in India. In accordance with the Insecticide Act, 1968, the Respondent had been granted statutory approval by the Central Insecticides Board. Mangesh G. Salodkar, the Petitioner was employed at Monsanto’s establishment at Lonavala. Soon after taking voluntary retirement, he suffered a brain …Read more

The Petitioners, including Praveen Rashtrapal, filed this public interest litigation in the Gujarat High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution (original writ jurisdiction of High Courts). The petition was filed on behalf of sewage cleaners (cleaners) in and around the City of Ahmadabad. The Petitioners claimed that the right to life and health of …Read more