Brussels, 13/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Women's Lobby (EWL), the European Older People's Platform (AGE) and the consumer association Test-Achats have reacted strongly to the political agreement reached (with Germany's abstention) at the Employment Council of 4 October in Luxembourg on the directive on equality of treatment for men and women outside the workplace (see EUROPE of 6 October, p.12). These associations feel that ministers acted out of pressure from insurance companies when they buried a fundamental principle enshrined in the Treaty, by "agreeing to disagree" on the principle of equality between men and women.
The Council of the EU proposes that the use of gender as a factor for calculating premiums and benefits shall not result in differences in an individual's premiums and benefits, notes a joint press release. However, it adds, the Member States may decide to authorise "proportionate differences" between men and women where the use of gender is a determining factor in the assessment of risk, based on relevant and accurate data. The three organisations welcomed the derogation proposed by the ministers: less favourable treatment for women for reasons of pregnancy or maternity is considered as direct discrimination and is thus prohibited (see EUROPE of 5 October, p.13). The EWL, AGE and Test Achats raised other questions: why only have solidarity between men and women for the risks of pregnancy and maternity and not for the risks of longevity? If the principle of equality can be applied to some major risks for women, what is the problem with a general application of the principle?