Non-discrimination and equal opportunities in the European Union

KEY POINTS

Strengthening the fight against discrimination

• This European Commission communication points out that fight against discrimination cannot be won by legislation alone. Nevertheless, effective and properly-enforced laws can play an important role in delivering changes in people’s attitudes and behaviour.
• Here, the Commission has 2 important tasks to perform:
  • ensuring that existing EU laws are implemented (examples include the directives on equal treatment in employment and occupation, on equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin and on equal treatment of men and women outside the employment market),
  • proposing new laws to extend the scope of legal protection to all forms of discrimination in all areas of life (for example, the proposal for a directive on equal treatment of persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Strengthening policy tools for active promotion of equal opportunities

Complementing legal measures, the communication highlights the role of certain policy tools.

• Stronger policy tools are needed if equal opportunities are to be promoted effectively. They include:
  • mainstreaming non-discrimination into all EU policies — including in particular employment, social inclusion, education and training policies. A guide has been published on socially responsible public procurement to raise awareness in EU countries of how to promote non-discrimination and equal opportunities through procurement policy and practice;
  • measuring discrimination and evaluating progress — the Commission is to explore whether the regular collection of statistics with EU countries on the extent and impact of discrimination and the creation of an EU-survey module on discrimination are feasible. It is also working with Equinet, the European network of equality bodies to develop a system for gathering information on complaints handled by these bodies;
  • positive action — EU law does not prevent EU countries from maintaining or adopting specific measures to prevent, or compensate for, disadvantages linked to discrimination on grounds where there is provision for protection. EU countries are urged to make use of all possibilities for positive action, in particular in access to education, employment, housing and health care;
  • awareness-raising and training activities for stakeholders — such as information campaigns to ensure employers, service providers and administrations are aware of their duties;
  • promoting the benefits of diversity at the workplace — legislation is more effective when coupled with progressive and innovative strategies implemented by employers to manage an increasingly diverse workforce. Initiatives include voluntary charters and cooperation between business, business schools and universities on diversity-related topics.
• Dialogue on non-discrimination and equal opportunities involving all stakeholders and civil society is needed. Examples include the equality summits have been held on a regular basis to share knowledge and experiences.
• Advancing the social inclusion of the Roma , Europe’s largest ethnic minority, is a policy priority that is receiving attention both at EU level and in EU countries. Each EU country has prepared a national Roma integration strategy and efforts are under way to fight discrimination and anti-Gypsyism. This is with a view to developing effective and inclusive cooperation mechanisms in the medium term involving civil society and national, regional and local authorities.

Funding

• Currently, European Social Fund finance is available to support the above activities in EU countries. The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance provides financial aid to candidate and potential candidate countries to meet future EU membership obligations in areas such as respect for fundamental rights, gender equality, tolerance and social inclusion.