The Future of Equality in the Workplace

On behalf of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament, I welcome you to today’s public event, which is focused on the future of gender equality in the workplace. We will examine the new challenges arising from the implementation of Directive 2002/73/EC on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in Employment.

I would like to welcome the experts and thank them for accepting our invitation to take part in today’s discussion. Unfortunately, Ms. Ulle-Marike Papp, Head of the office of the Minister of Equality and Social Affairs in Estonia, canceled her participation at the last moment. However, I would like to thank Ms. Beatrice Hertogs, Secretary General of ETMC, who replaced Ms. Papp by accepting our late invitation.

I also welcome Mr. Angelos Angelidis, a member of the Permanent Greek Representation, who is representing the Greek Presidency. I also welcome Ms. Luisela Pavan-Woolfe, Director of the Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission, as well as the representatives of the permanent representations of the Member States, and all our guests.

With the adoption of the report by Ms. Heidi Hautala last year, the European Parliament endorsed the revision of Directive 76/207/EEC, aimed at eliminating discrimination against women and ensuring equal treatment in all areas concerning employment, namely promotions, professional training, and working conditions.

Through negotiation, what we have achieved, in brief, are the following:

• Sexual harassment in the workplace is specifically defined for the first time. As Ms. Diamantopoulou very clearly stated, sexual harassment has, for the first time, acquired a name in European legislation.
• Another significant achievement is that employers and employees, together, will be able to promote action plans for the advancement of equality and positive measures for the benefit of the underrepresented gender, in order to promote equality in all areas.
• The rights of those who take parental leave, including for child adoption, are also protected, and they do not lose their jobs.
• The Directive also provides for compensation for victims of discrimination. Member States must designate specific bodies responsible for assisting victims of gender-based discrimination. These bodies must have the necessary resources to fulfill their purpose.

For many of the issues I mentioned earlier, Member States still have quite some time, as the new Directive must be incorporated into national law by 2005.

However, it is important to know where we stand today, to have an exchange of views on the implementation of the Directive in both the old and new Member States, and to see what political actions need to be taken and what initiatives should be pursued at both the Community and national levels.

This is the purpose of today’s meeting.