SOLIDARITY AND THE CONSTUTIONALIZATION OF EU LAW: DISABILITY RIGHTS IN LABOUR LAW
The principle of solidarity is a foundational and contested norm in EU constitutionalism, explicitly recognized in Article 3(3) TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFREU). While traditionally viewed as a political aspiration, recent CJEU jurisprudence has transformed solidarity into a legally enforceable principle, particularly in disability rights law. This paper argues that disability rights serve as a test for the constitutional effectiveness of solidarity, demonstrating the extent to which the CJEU enforces social inclusion as a fundamental rights obligations.
By analyzing landmark cases such as Chacón Navas (C-13/05), HK Danmark (C-335/11 and Ring and Werge (C-335/11 & C-337/11), and DW v. Nobel Plastiques Ibérica SA (Case C-397/18) among others, this study illustrates how the CJEU has progressively aligned EU disability law with international human rights standards, particularly the UN CRPD. The Court’s interpretation of anti-discrimination law and reasonable accommodation obligations has solidified solidarity as a legally binding principle, imposing direct obligations on employers, institutions, and Member States.
Drawing on constitutionalization theories (De Búrca, 2000, 2011, 2017; Weiler, 1999; Jankov, 2007), this paper situates CJEU jurisprudence within EU constitutional transformation, arguing that disability rights provide a benchmark for evaluating the enforceability of solidarity. The study concludes that solidarity is progressively gaining legal force through judicial interpretation, and its broader application in EU law depends on further judicial and legislative developments, particularly in its application by Member States.
Keywords: EU Disability Law, European Accessibility Act, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Reasonable Accommodation, Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
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