Against the backdrop of difficult negotiations in the Council on a proposed draft directive on anti-discrimination, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Social Platform (consisting of social NGOs) urged the Council, at the third ‘Equality summit’, on 16 and 17 November, to adopt the text. The progress report on the proposed EU law on “implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation” reveals that there is still very important work to be done before this dossier is ripe for a political agreement. The proposal requires unanimity under the Nice Treaty and this will not change under Lisbon. The member states will adopt a new progress report at the Employment Council, on 30 November.

The EU’s third ‘Equality summit’, taking place in Stockholm, aims to “promote equal rights and equal opportunities for all in the European Union, and to share knowledge and experiences in order to develop more effective ways of counteracting all forms of discrimination”. This year’s summit, co-organised by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission, particularly focuses on the situation of the Roma as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the European societies.

AN “INDISPENSABLE INGREDIENT”

The ETUC and social NGOs are of the view that equality and non-discrimination policies are an “indispensable ingredient of any sustainable perspective for economies, societies and labour markets in member states and the EU”. They urge the policy makers to take action, calling on them to ensure the adoption by the Council of the proposed directive. The policy makers should also “tackle the remaining gender gaps in gender equality policies and legislation and ensure effective implementation of gender mainstreaming in all EU policies,” say the ETUC and the social NGOs.

They also want to “mainstream equality in all EU policies, invest in strong social policies and public services that support equality, develop rights-based migration and integration policies”. Furthermore, European policy makers should “work in strong partnership with trade unions and civil society organisations at European and national level”. According to Catelene Passchier, confederal secretary of the ETUC, “The fight for equality in Europe requires new legal and policy initiatives from the EU institutions and member states, as well as greater commitment to ensure equality in practice”. The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) has also called for the summit “to result in real and concrete outcomes and to create momentum to reinforce protection against discrimination on all grounds in Europe”.

The Presidency’s compromise proposal is available at www.europolitics.info > Search = 260804