The European Commission (EC) recently announced a package of measures to combat non-sexual discrimination at work. The Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou said the proposals represented a milestone in the construction of a social Europe. No-one can disagree that the initiative gives a strong signal about the ambition to promote a more equal society.
The impetus for action is driven by the need to establish minimum standards across the European Union (EU) that address unacceptable forms of discrimination, which are inconsistent with the free movement of labour within the single market.
The measures indicate a marked shift in the approach of the EC to the issue of discrimination. For instance, the Commission has confirmed that legal redress against discrimination will have to be given not only to European citizens, but also to third country nationals irrespective of their status in any member state of the EU. The package consists of the following:
* an employment directive prohibiting discrimination in employment on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
