210 likes | 385 Views
Accessing Justice tools and methods to fight discrimination in working life. Final Conference of the EU Project Access to Justice. Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006. The EU Project Access to Justice. Presentation by Anette Sjödin
E N D
Accessing Justicetools and methods to fight discrimination in working life Final Conference of the EU Project Access to Justice Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
The EU Project Access to Justice Presentation by Anette Sjödin The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
The EU Project The EU project “Access to Justice” is: • Working to fill the gap between the EU Employment Directive (and national legislation based on it) and practice • Focusing on age, disability and sexual orientation • Active in Romania, the UK and Sweden • Supported by the Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination (2001–2006) • Working for two years, ending on Nov. 30, 2006 Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Objectives • Inform about new rights and protections— awareness raising • Enhance the capacity building of key actors to assist individuals in taking cases forward • Equip key actors to recognise andaddress differences between national legislation and the Employment Directive Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
The Steering Group • ACCEPT (Romania) • Help the Aged (United Kingdom) • HomO: The Swedish Ombudsman Against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation • LO: The Swedish Trade Union Confederation • RFSL: The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (Project Manager) Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Differences • National legislation • Knowledge of the law • Structures for taking care of complaints • Key actors • Discrimination grounds • A common overall objective: to fill the gap between law and practice Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Basic Needs Individuals need to: • Know what discrimination really is • Feel comfortable enough to make a complaint • Know who to turn to Organisations need to: • Recognize discrimination • Meet the individual’s need for support Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Basic Needs Individuals need to: • Know what discrimination really is • Feel comfortable enough to make a complaint • Know who to turn to Organisations need to: • Recognize discrimination • Meet the individual’s need for support Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Activities and Products • National Networks • Experience exchange • Seminars, conferences and training sessions • National handbooks • European Guide for Practitioners • An overview of the EU Employment Directive and how to make use of the legislation • Final Conference “Accessing Justice” • In Brussels 28-29 Nov. 2006 Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Activities and Products • National Networks • Experience exchange • Seminars, conferences and training sessions • National handbooks • European Guide for Practitioners • An overview of the EU Employment Directive and how to make use of the legislation • Final Conference “Accessing Justice” • In Brussels 28-29 Nov. 2006 Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Content • Why does discrimination occur? • Discrimination definitions • Grounds of discrimination • Using the new rights • Providing support • Different needs and approaches • More information and key European actors Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Why discrimination? • Discussing the structures and mechanisms that create discrimination • Majority groups formulate a concept of what is normal • Often unspoken and perceived as common sense • Consolidates solidarity, a sense of belonging • May sustain power inequalities • May result in discrimination of minority groups Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Master Suppression Techniques … a tool to identify signs of discrimination • Making Invisible • Forgotten, overlooked or ignored • Ridiculing • Not taken seriously; made fun of • Withholding Information • Denied information about important issues at work • Damned If You Do and Damned If You Don’t • No chance to get it right; a “Catch 22” • Heaping Blame and Putting to Shame • Being told that you’re not good enough Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Definitions in the Directive • Direct Discrimination • Indirect Discrimination • Harassment • Victimisation Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Discrimination Grounds • Age • Disability • Sexual Orientation Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Using the New Rights • Duties of the Member States • Required to provide information • When does the directive apply? • Access to employment, self-employment, and specific occupations, including selection criteria, recruitment conditions, etc. • Burden of Proof • Shared responsibility Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Providing Support • Examples of what your organisation can do: • Provide a helpline • Provide discriminated-against persons with information about their rights • Provide the necessary legal support • Empower the discriminated-against person • The Importance of Good Case Management • Different roles for different organisations • Steps in Case Management • Documentation • Strategy of action Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Different Needs and Approaches • Great Britain • Capacity building on age discrimination • Sweden • Checklist • Romania • Taking cases Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Links to More Information • Key actors—a few of them … • Access to Justice: National Networks www.accesstojustice.se Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
- Tomorrow Activities and Products • National Networks • Experience exchange • Seminars, conferences and training sessions • National handbooks • European Guide for Practitioners • An overview of the EU Employment Directive and how to make use of the legislation • Final Conference “Accessing Justice” • In Brussels 28-29 Nov. 2006 Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006
Accessing Justicetools and methods to fight discrimination in working life Final Conference of the EU project Access to Justice Accessing Justice 28-29 Nov. 2006