#Equality in the workplace: MEPs push for better implementation of EU law

MEPs have today(15 September) voted a report on the implementation of EU employment anti-discrimination legislation, 16 years after it was adopted. The 2000 Employment Equality Directive imposes a duty on the EU member states to provide protection against discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation in the areas of employment, occupation and vocational training.

The report identifies a number of challenges remaining in relation to the implementation of the Directive, for example on the need to better inform the citizens on their legal rights and obligations.

ALDE MEP Renate Weber, the rapporteur on this file said after the vote: "Sixteen years have passed since the adoption of the Employment Equality Directive and while some member states have already gone beyond its requirements by extending protection against discrimination to other areas including access to goods and services, many have not."

"Polling which suggests the discrepancy between levels of discrimination experienced and discrimination reported need to be addressed. Many victims still have difficulty in recognizing a discriminatory situation. More should be done to raise awareness among the public and members of the legal profession."

"Work needs to be done to increase dialogue among governments, civil society and social partners across all grounds of discrimination and to raise awareness among the public."

"It is a disgrace that the proposed horizontal anti-discrimination directive, outlawing discrimination in access to goods and services across the EU is still blocked by a coalition of EU governments."

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