European Commission proposes non-discrimination directive beyond the workplace

In July, the European Commission approved a proposal for a directive which provides protection from discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief beyond the workplace. This new directive would ensure equal treatment in the areas of social protection, including social security and health care, education and supply of goods and services which are commercially available to the public, including housing (we reported on this in EMEA 21.).
As recent Eurobarometer surveys revealed, a large majority of Europeans are in favour of such legislation as 77% of the respondents support measures that protect people from discrimination in education and 68% support legal measures in access to goods and services. “The right to equal treatment is fundamental, but millions of people in the EU continue to face discrimination in their everyday lives. At present, there is an inequality in Community legislation itself because people are protected from discrimination outside the workplace only on grounds of gender and race or ethnic origin. We must ensure equal treatment for all grounds,” said Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. “The measures we propose are proportionate and reasonable; they give legal certainty to businesses and to users of goods and services while respecting the specific requirements of various sectors as well as national traditions.”
The new directive will cover direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. It will involve general accessibility and the principle of ‘reasonable accommodation’ for people with disabilities. However the directive will not influence generally accepted practices such as discounts for senior citizens (e.g. bus fares and entrance to museums) or age restrictions on access to certain goods (e.g. alcohol for young people) on grounds of public health.