Punish work discrimination laggards, Commission told

By Martin Banks

Date: 11/12/03

THE European Commission has been urged to launch infringement proceedings against member states that have failed to meet a deadline to implement laws designed to combat workplace discrimination.

Only four countries - the UK, Spain, France and Belgium - met the 2 December deadline for transposing the Equality and Employment Directive into national law.

Accession states have until 1 May 2004, the date they join the Union, to implement the legislation.

The directive, which outlaws work-based discrimination on the grounds of religion, sexual orientation, age and disability, was adopted in a record six months.

But MEP Jean Lambert, a member of the Greens/European Free Alliance group, said that failure by 11 member states to introduce the legislation set a "terrible" example to accession countries.

"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," she said.

"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 even the most basic of human rights?"

Meanwhile, the race directive, which was adopted six months ago and is seen as another important legislative landmark in the fight against discrimination, has been implemented in only six member states.

Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg, Parliament's rapporteur on the directive, said: "It is scandalous that, despite international legislation, 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."

A spokesman for Anna Diamantopoulou, commissioner for social affairs and employment, said: "It is very disappointing that the initial enthusiasm for these two directives seems to have waned and we shall write to member states to remind them of their obligations."