Brussels, 18/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - "We trust that Europe will state loud and clear that it cannot accept any form of discrimination of any kind - whether of race, sex or religion -, in its employment practices". This wish, expressed by Martine Aubry during the work of the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Luxembourg, on Tuesday, was made concrete with a unanimous Council political agreement during the evening and after six hours of negotiation on the directive concerning the creation of a general framework in favour of equal opportunities for employment and work. The agreement was obtained on the basis of a compromise text to address difficulties experienced by some Member States (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.9).
The text approved on Tuesday evening after a debate was described as "very difficult" by Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and should be transposed into Member States' national body of law over a transitional 3-year period. Nonetheless, this period will be extended to six years to harmonise national legislation with European provisions to counter discrimination against older people, the disabled and the armed forces (this last point is particularly valid for the United Kingdom, which requested an 8-year period of adaptation. See yesterday's EUROPE, p.9), as long as each Member State presents an annual report that shows progress accomplished in this field. Each Member State is thus expected to propose its own legislation in the general framework of this directive, said the Commissioner.
Ms Diamantopoulou stressed on Wednesday morning, at the Commission's pressroom in Brussels, the importance and the significance of the agreement reached the day before. She recalled that, in November last year, the Commission had proposed two directives aimed at banning any kind of discrimination within the Union. Six months later, the Council, under Portuguese Presidency, had approved the first section, formally banning all discrimination based on race. Now, under French presidency, the same Council has approved the second section, banning all other kinds of discrimination, whether based on religion or creed, sexual leanings, age or handicap. All the Ministers as well as the Commission acknowledged that this is an "historic step" which confirms that the Union is not just an economic organisation but a "Community of values".
Ms Diamantopoulou then explained that the last difficulty, raised by the Irish delegation, had been overcome with a reference to the ethos of religions. To put it clearly, the religious schools (and other bodies linked to any religion) will not be able to claim that all their teaching staff should practice the religion of the school, but that they should respect the ethos of this religion. The Council has been careful to find an appropriate translation of this Greek word in all the EU's languages, in order to avoid any ambiguity or misunderstanding.
After these desultory negotiations, the ministers held a brief discussion on the very controversial draft proposal on worker information and consultation in the Community, which aims to compel the companies of the Union, which have at least 50 employees, to inform and consult the personnel on the major events within the enterprise. The Council invited the delegations to submit their observations in writing with a view to continuing work in the run up to the Council scheduled for 27/28 November. For the results of the other points on the agenda, see yesterday's EUROPE, page 9.
Finally, the ministers said farewell to Martine Aubry, for whom this was the last Council, as she is leaving the government to seek the function of mayor of Lille. Anna Diamantopoulou warmly thanked Martine Aubry for "her commitment and the major role that she has played in making the social agenda move forward". Expressing the feelings of all his colleagues, Luxembourg's Labour Minister Biltgen said "Martine Aubry is a great lady in European social policy. She has given it fresh impetus".