On 19 July 2004, the Equality Act 2004 [1] was enacted (IE0407202F [2]). It seeks to transpose three EU Directives (IE0109101F [3]): Directive 2000/43/EC [4] implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (EU0006256F [5]); Directive 2000/78/EC [6] establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (EU0102295F [7]); and Directive 2002/73/EC [8] amending the 1976 Directive (76/207/EEC) on equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. The Act updates the Employment Equality Act 1998 [9] (IE9909144F [10]) and the Equal Status Act 2000, strengthening the provisions of both.[1] http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2004/A2404.pdf[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/new-equality-law-extends-workers-rights[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/implications-of-new-eu-equality-directives-in-ireland[4] http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2000/l_180/l_18020000719en00220026.pdf[5] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/employment-and-social-policy-council-agrees-race-discrimination-directive[6] http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2000/l_303/l_30320001202en00160022.pdf[7] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-social-policies/new-framework-equal-treatment-directive-examined[8] http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2002/l_269/l_26920021005en00150020.pdf[9] http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA21Y1998.html[10] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions-industrial-relations/the-implications-of-the-employment-equality-act-1998
Ireland's new Equality Act, which was enacted in July 2004, seeks to transpose recent EU equality Directives and will introduce a number of significant new employment rights. One effect will be to give increased protection to domestic workers, many of whom are migrants.
On 19 July 2004, the Equality Act 2004 was enacted (IE0407202F). It seeks to transpose three EU Directives (IE0109101F): Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (EU0006256F); Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (EU0102295F); and Directive 2002/73/EC amending the 1976 Directive (76/207/EEC) on equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. The Act updates the Employment Equality Act 1998 (IE9909144F) and the Equal Status Act 2000, strengthening the provisions of both.
One aim of the new Equality Act is to protect foreign domestic workers from exploitation, after anecdotal evidence emerged of growing exploitation by some employers. There have also been reports that overseas workers employed as maids and nannies in private homes have suffered from a degree of exploitation. Under the Act, domestic workers will now be entitled to similar protection against discrimination as other types of employee.
The Act has been given a qualified welcome by the Equality Authority. The Authority's chief executive, Niall Crowley, said that the new law 'does respond to many of the serious experiences brought forward by migrant workers in domestic employment.'
However, according to Mr Crowley, the new Act may not be in full compliance with EU equality Directives, because the sanctions for breaches are, he claims, too low and not sufficiently dissuasive.
Il-Eurofound jirrakkomanda li din il-pubblikazzjoni tiġi kkwotata kif ġej.
Eurofound (2004), Domestic workers protected under new Equality Act, article.
