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Statistics indicate a 1% overall increase in discrimination in the EU from 2008 to 2009, with a dramatic 16% rise in age discrimination. Participants and analysts suspect these increases may be linked to the financial crisis. Furthermore, almost half of participants think the crisis will bring less attention and less funding to diversity promotion.
Ethnic origin remains the most widespread basis for mistreatment, with 61% of participants claiming it is fairly or very widespread in their countries. The numbers differed dramatically across member states, with 75-80% of Dutch, French and Hungarian citizens admitting that discrimination was fairly widespread in their countries. On the opposite end of the spectrum, only 25-35% of citizens in Central and Eastern European member states such as Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland indicated widespread frequency of incidents. These Central and Eastern states also had the highest percentage of citizens (10-12%) suggesting discrimination is non-existent.
The interpretation
While it is absurd to simply blame the crisis for all undesirable statistics that come out of 2009, it would also be wrong to immediately rule out a possible link between a sinking economy and rising discrimination. The shortage of jobs in most sectors may mean that people are less likely to hire minorities. Statistics certainly indicate that less people favour giving minorities equal rights to employment than they did a year ago (excepting ethnic minorities, for which the level of support has remained constant). The timing also suggests a link. Participants reporting discrimination had become fewer each year for the past several years, until 2009.
- Roma are widely discriminated against across the EU.
Source : Flickr, -sylvia
As regards the low level of citizens in Central and Eastern Europe who think discrimination is widespread, and the relatively high percentage who claim it is even non-existent, a few points must be made. Firstly, if you are the one discriminating against someone else, you’re less likely to recognize it as discrimination, and/or admit that it is discrimination. This could partially explain the unexpected statistics. Secondly, it’s common knowledge that discrimination in Central and Eastern Europe is indeed present and even widespread. Many states have extremely polarized minority groups, including the Roma. At least 75% of Roma live in poverty, and their populations are marginalized everywhere.
EU law
Provisions in the Amsterdam Treaty paved the way for anti-discrimination legislation, such as the Racial Equality Directive, the Employment Equality Directive, and the Community Action Program to Combat Discrimination. The EU prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, disability, age, and sexual orientation, but protection is limited to employment and the workplace.
In 2008, the Commission proposed a new directive, aiming for an even higher level of protection. The proposed directive would prohibit discrimination in the private and public sector in social protection (including health care and social security), social advantages, education, and access to and supply of publicly available goods and services, including housing. Significantly, this takes anti-discrimination far beyond the workplace and into everyday life.
While statistics indicate a high level of support for employment equality, discrimination still exists. By outlawing discrimination in other sectors of public life, such as access to services, education, and public goods, perhaps incidents of discrimination can be reduced.
What the EU must do
The EU and its member-states can do much more to combat discrimination. In fact, 46% of participants say not enough is being done to prevent discrimination. A number of actions can be taken
Along with higher reports of discrimination in 2009, participants demonstrated increased support for monitoring the composition of the work force to determine representation of ethnic minorities. The first thing the EU can do is carry out such monitoring. Data collected will help determine which sectors are more discriminatory in their selection procedures. In 2009, there was also a rise in support for monitoring recruitment procedures to ensure that ethnic minorities are given the same chance as similarly qualified and skilled candidates. This is a second measure that should be taken.
Thirdly, the EU should adopt the directive proposed last year. Discrimination outside the workplace is unacceptable, and can be at least as restricting as employment discrimination. What’s the point in getting a job if you can’t buy a house in the neighbourhood of your choice, or insurance for your family ?
Fourthly, the EU should not allow minorities to be victims of the crisis. Many participants fear that the economic and financial crisis would mean leaders will pay less attention and devote less funds to anti-discrimination projects. However, the proposed directive has no budgetary implications. Treating people equally regardless of sex, religious belief, ethnicity, etc does not cost money. It may cost some racist people their pride, but it does not mean taxpayers will have to pay more. That’s the point of equal opportunity employment, access to public goods, etc. Anti-discrimination legislation isn’t about choosing a less qualified person because they’re a minority. It’s about choosing the most qualified person, regardless of their status.
Finally, the EU and its member states need to increase awareness about EU citizens’ rights. Two thirds of participants were not aware of their rights as regards anti-discrimination legislation. National and European leaders need to take responsibility for educating the public about their rights and the actions they can take if they are discriminated against. The media must also play a role, and should do so without being forced to by law. One quarter of participants expressed the opinion that diversity is not sufficiently represented in the media. The EU needs to use media to enforce increased awareness of rights and increased positive awareness of the diversity of its citizens, and media outlets need to reflect the diverse nature of the societies they project to.
These actions should be taken without haste, because it’s absolutely unacceptable that discrimination should increase in a region governed by most progressive anti-discrimination laws, regardless of the state of the economy.
Logo : Flickr, The Advocacy Project
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