EU equality laggards in the dock

Brussels has launched legal action against six national governments for failing to transpose two EU anti-discrimination laws.

Austria, Germany, Finland, Greece and Luxembourg have been referred to the EU courts for failing to incorporate rules that prohibit discrimination on the basis of racial, age, disability, religion and sexual orientation into national law.

The 'Racial Equality Directive' and 'Employment Framework Directive', which required legislative changes in all member states, should have been transposed into law this time last year and December 2003.

Austria, Germany, Finland, Austria, Greece and Luxembourg have all failed to introduce, update or amend the equality legislation.

And the same five countries, as well as Belgium have not yet transposed the employment directive

These national governments have two months to reply to the commission's 'reasoned opinion', and could then face referral to the European Court of Justice.

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