The European Commission proposed on Wednesday legislation which provides for protection from discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief beyond the workplace.
This new legislation would ensure equal treatment in the areas of social protection, including social security and health care, education and access to and supply of goods and services, said the commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU).
"The right to equal treatment is fundamental. But millions of people in the EU continue to face discrimination in their everyday lives. At present, there is an inequality in (European) Community legislation itself because people are protected from discrimination outside the workplace only on grounds of gender andrace or ethnic origin. We must ensure equal treatment for all grounds," said Vladimir Spidla, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities.
The proposed legislation will create a level playing field across the EU as some member states already have very extensive national anti-discrimination protection in place, said the commission.
According to an EU survey whose results were published on Wednesday, EU citizens think that discrimination remains rife, particularly when it comes to sexual orientation (51 percent), disability (45 percent), age and religion (42 percent each).
Almost one in three EU citizens report witnessing discrimination or harassment in the past year, and 48 percent think that not enough is being done to fight this scourge.
Source:Xinhua
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