Press Release: Judgment in Case C-354/13 Fag og Arbejde (FOA), acting on behalf of Karsten Kaltoft v Kommunernes Landsforening (KL), acting on behalf of the Municipality of Billund – Obesity now considered a disability in EU law

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Series Details No.183/14 (18.12.14)
Publication Date 18/12/2014
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The European Court of Justice decided on 18 December 2014 that obesity can constitute a ‘disability’ within the meaning of the Employment Equality Directive.

The Court clarifies that while no general principle of European Union law prohibits, in itself, discrimination on grounds of obesity, that condition falls within the concept of ‘disability’ where, under particular conditions, it hinders the full and effective participation of the person concerned in professional life on an equal basis with other workers.

The case stemmed from a 2010 case in Denmark where a 160kg child minder was sacked by a Danish municipality for being too large after 15 years on the job.

Danish trade union FOA, which was acting on behalf of the Karsten Kaltoft, described the ruling as 'a great victory'.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-12/cp140183en.pdf
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Advocate General’s Opinion in Case C-354/13. FOA, acting on behalf of Karsten Kaltoft v Kommunernes Landsforening (KL), acting on behalf of the Municipality of Billund http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-advocate-generals-opinion-in-case-c-354-13-foa-acting-on-behalf-of-karsten-kaltoft-v-kommunernes-landsforening-kl-acting-on-behalf-of-the-municipality-of-billund/
EUObserver, 18.12.14: Obesity now considered a disability in EU law http://euobserver.com/justice/126980
BBC News, 18.12.14: Obesity 'could be a disability' - EU courts rule http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30529791
Blog: EU Law Analysis, 18.12.14: The CJEU rules on obesity and discrimination law http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/the-cjeu-rules-on-obesity-and.html
EurActiv, 18.12.14: Obesity can be deemed a disability at work - EU court http://www.euractiv.com/sections/health-consumers/obesity-can-be-deemed-disability-work-eu-court-310944
The Local.dk, 19.12.14: Danish union: EU obesity ruling 'a great victory' http://www.thelocal.dk/20141219/danish-union-calls-eu-obesity-ruling-a-great-victory
http://www.edf-feph.org/ http://www.edf-feph.org/

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