Latvian officials reactions on parliamentary vote
17/06/2006
Submitted by
Mozaika
Artis Pabriks, Latvian Foreign Minister: Failure to amend Labour Law might cause international deplore
Artis Pabriks believes yesterday’s vote at the Latvian Parliament when the amendment to include sexual orientation in the anti-discrimination article of the Labour law might cause international deplore and condemnation.
The Foreign Minister pointed that when joining the international organisations Latvia signed up to a number of obligations which she needs to fulfil. Not adopting the amendment is a breach of international law.
“This is a populist and not forward looking decision. This gives extra argument to those who are not friendly towards our country and criticise Latvia is not safeguarding minorities’ rights. This also demonstrates that stet institutions do not promote elimination of discrimination within society” Artis Pabriks said.
Liga Biksiniece, Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Unit at the Latvian National Human Rights Office said:
The decision of the Latvian Parliament to delete sexual orientation from the anti-discrimination article of the Labour Law demonstrated politicians’ intolerance and discriminatory attitudes towards sexual minorities.
She notes that intolerant and discriminatory attitudes were especially demonstrated during the Parliamentary debate when often the debate has nothing to do with the regulation of employment relations and was rather a display of populist views. She also said that the ban to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation which was supported by the parliamentary committees but rejected at the plenary session would provide a greater protection to workers as discrimination can also occur because of heterosexual orientation.
Rejecting this amendment Latvia demonstrated its refusal to implement and transpose the EU Employment Equality Directive 2000/78/EC which provide a framework on equal treatment in employment.
The directive requires a specific list of the grounds on the basis of which discrimination is not allowed. Therefore Latvia is under a risk of European Commission’s infringement procedure which could result is significant penalties which would be paid from the taxpayer’s pocket.
Artis Pabriks believes yesterday’s vote at the Latvian Parliament when the amendment to include sexual orientation in the anti-discrimination article of the Labour law might cause international deplore and condemnation.
The Foreign Minister pointed that when joining the international organisations Latvia signed up to a number of obligations which she needs to fulfil. Not adopting the amendment is a breach of international law.
“This is a populist and not forward looking decision. This gives extra argument to those who are not friendly towards our country and criticise Latvia is not safeguarding minorities’ rights. This also demonstrates that stet institutions do not promote elimination of discrimination within society” Artis Pabriks said.
Liga Biksiniece, Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Unit at the Latvian National Human Rights Office said:
The decision of the Latvian Parliament to delete sexual orientation from the anti-discrimination article of the Labour Law demonstrated politicians’ intolerance and discriminatory attitudes towards sexual minorities.
She notes that intolerant and discriminatory attitudes were especially demonstrated during the Parliamentary debate when often the debate has nothing to do with the regulation of employment relations and was rather a display of populist views. She also said that the ban to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation which was supported by the parliamentary committees but rejected at the plenary session would provide a greater protection to workers as discrimination can also occur because of heterosexual orientation.
Rejecting this amendment Latvia demonstrated its refusal to implement and transpose the EU Employment Equality Directive 2000/78/EC which provide a framework on equal treatment in employment.
The directive requires a specific list of the grounds on the basis of which discrimination is not allowed. Therefore Latvia is under a risk of European Commission’s infringement procedure which could result is significant penalties which would be paid from the taxpayer’s pocket.
