THE UK yesterday failed to meet the deadline for implementing new laws preventing discrimination in the workplace. Only four out of the European Union's 15 Member States managed to meet the deadline for implementing domestic laws in line with the EU Employment Directive, which provides for equal treatment in employment, occupation and vocational training irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Importantly, it offers workers protection from both direct and indirect discrimination. The deadline for transposition was yesterday, 2 December 2003.
London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, Co-President of the European Parliament's inter-group on ageing said today that failure by 11 countries to implement the legislation sets a terrible example for future Member States who have until 1 May 2004 to implement the Directive:
"If
we are to fulfil expectations we must tackle discrimination with a sense of urgency.
It is not enough that Member States have only partially done what is required
of them. And it is unacceptable that some have not
implemented the Directive
at all. How can Europe promote social justice when it fails to empower workforces
with the even most basic of human rights?"
The Race Directive, another important landmark in the fight against discrimination, came into force on 19 July 2003. Again many Member States failed to meet the transposition deadline for that legislation.
Dutch MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg, Rapporteur on the Race Directive, said: "It is scandalous that despite legislation at an international level, Member States consistently fail to protect their citizens against discrimination. We have a responsibility to ensure that laws are put into practice and that citizens are made aware of their rights."
ENDS
For more information please
contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973 823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk