10-03-2004: Proposal for a directive just one more step towards the actual achievement of equal opportunities for women and men

On 10 March 2004, the Executive Board of the CESI adopted a position on the European Commission proposal for a directive on equal treatment in the access to and supply of goods and services. In this opinion, the CESI first welcomes the fact that the European Commission is taking a further step towards implementing equal opportunities between women and men in the European Union. By including the definitions of discrimination and harassment, with the reversal of the burden of proof and protection against victimisation as well as the participation of non-governmental organisations, the Commission has met important demands put forward by the CESI.
"However, the independent trade unions regret to note that the draft directive submitted does not respond to the call for equal opportunities between the sexes to cover all areas of life", says CESI General Secretary Helmut Müllers. "The important areas of social security, education, equal rights to participate in decision-making processes and the depiction of women and men in the media are excluded expressis verbis. Consequently, the proposal for a directive may only be seen as one more step along the path towards actual equal treatment." The opinion can be downloaded from the "Documents" section.