EU demands employment law protection for gay workers

Posted 23/11/2009

An employment law amendment is being demanded by the EU in order to safeguard the rights of gay workers to be hired by religious organisations.

The EU has objected to government plans to allow churches to be exempt from certain sexual discrimination policies which will be enforced by the forthcoming Equality Bill.

It is therefore demanding that religious organisations be prevented from refusing to hire homosexuals except in positions involving the practice or promotion of the religion, reports the Observer.

Vladimir Spidla, the EU’s equal opportunities commissioner, said: “We call on the UK government to make the necessary changes to its anti-discrimination legislation as soon as possible so as to fully comply with the EU rules.”

This news is likely to be welcomed by the National Secular Society, which had complained that the proposed exemption would create illegal discrimination.

The Equality Bill has been welcomed by trade unions since its announcement, with GMB expressing confidence that it will help to promote fairness in employment.