Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2006, publiée 96ème session CIT (2007)

Legislation. The Committee notes with interest the numerous legislative developments in the field of discrimination, in particular the adoption of the Equality Act 2006, establishing a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), and creating a duty for public authorities to promote equality of opportunity between men and women and prohibit sex discrimination. It also notes the adoption of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age in employment, self-employment, occupation and vocational training. The Committee further notes the adoption of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, which extends the coverage of the 1995 Act to 250,000 people living with cancer, HIV infection and multiple sclerosis. The Government reports that, in addition to these developments, a discrimination law review (DLR) is under way, involving employers’ and workers’ representatives to address concerns that there are inconsistencies in the current anti-discrimination legislative framework. The Government anticipates that this review will lead to the drafting of a single equality bill. Noting that the CEHR will become operational in 2007, and that the final report of the DLR is due in the same year, the Committee asks the Government to keep it informed regarding the impact of these and other legal developments in promoting equal opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation. Please also provide information on the progress made towards the drafting of a single equality bill. Furthermore, noting that the age discrimination regulations came into force on 1 October 2006, the Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on this law’s practical application including the number and outcome of age discrimination complaints brought under these new regulations.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.