Brussels, 19/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities unanimously adopted the report by Finnish Green member Heidi Hautala concerning the amendment of the 1976 directive on implementation of equal treatment between men and women concerning access to employment, training and vocational training, and working conditions. The report (codecision, second reading) will be examined next week during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg.
The parliamentary committee proposes a series of compromise amendments to allow adoption of the new directive under Belgian Presidency. These amendments mainly concern a clear definition of the different forms of discrimination, envisage positive actions consisting of ensuring gender equality in professional life, and propose preventive measures to fight against harassment. The committee also insists on respect of the right to maternity or paternity leave and on the obligation of Member States to designate independent bodies responsible for monitoring application of the principle of equality between men and women as well as receiving and filing complaints relating to discrimination.
We recall that the Parliament had taken a stance in first reading, during its plenary session in June (see EUROPE of 1 June, 2001). The Social Council reached a political agreement on this amendment of directive of 1976 (including sexual harassment) during its session of 11 June in Luxembourg. The Council only approved some of the amendments that the EP voted in first reading, to the great regret, moreover, of Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou. Thus, the definition of indirect discrimination proposed by the Parliament had been accepted but not the definitions of direct discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment. The common position does not make any direct reference to actions that are positively in favour of women's rights (see EUROPE of 12 June, 2001).