European Employment and Social Affairs ministers held an exchange of views in Luxembourg on Monday 29 June on the proposed directive referred to as the anti-discrimination directive, but failed to unblock a text that has been under negotiation since 2008 (see EUROPE 13763/7). While the delegations reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of equal treatment, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union had to acknowledge that no unanimous consensus has yet been reached.
The proposal, presented on the basis of Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is intended to extend protection against discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation beyond the sole field of employment. It would notably cover social protection, education and access to goods and services, including housing.
Opening the debate, the Cyprus Presidency, which noted that equal treatment constituted “a fundamental value of the European Union” and an indispensable condition for building inclusive societies, acknowledged the continuing difficulties in reaching an agreement. However, it highlighted that efforts had been made during its six-month term to move the file forward.
The Member States were informed of the conclusions of an additional impact assessment carried out at the request of the European Parliament.
This set out, in particular, the costs and benefits of the proposal in the field of education. It also supports reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. According to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, these measures would help strengthen social cohesion, prevent discrimination and enable everyone to fully develop their talents.
The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs, and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, welcomed both the work carried out by the Cyprus Presidency and the commitment of the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU to continue the negotiations. She also noted that equality is one of the fundamental values of the European Union.
She therefore considered that a political agreement on this “long-awaited file” remained a priority. According to her, discrimination entails “unbearable costs” for the persons concerned, but also for society and the economy.
Ireland, which will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council on 1 July, regretted the absence of consensus despite “broad support” for the text and committed to examining “all reasonable amendments” likely to bring Member States’ positions closer together, without calling into question the essential objectives of the proposal.
According to Ireland, the shortcomings of the current European framework still prevent a minimum level of protection against discrimination from being ensured throughout the EU.
Discussions will therefore continue under the Irish Presidency. Last December, the Danish Presidency identified Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic as the main Member States still blocking adoption of the text, owing in particular to concerns linked to social protection, education, housing and respect for national competences. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)